International Bluebirds | March Round-Up
Find out how our Bluebirds got on during the recent international break...
PLAY-OFF PENALTY HEARTBREAK FOR WALES
Wales missed out on a spot at EURO 2024 in Germany, losing to Poland in a penalty shootout at Cardiff City Stadium after a 0-0 draw.
In their first fixture of the international window, Rob Page's side defeated Finland 4-1 at CCS.
Aaron Ramsey and Rubin Colwill were both selected in the squad, but neither player appeared in the two Play-Off fixtures.
Wales Results: UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs
Wales 4-1 Finland, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Wales 0-0 Poland, Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
SIO AND GREECE MISS OUT ON EUROS
There was unfortunately more Play-Off disappointment for Manolis Siopis and Greece, who suffered a penalty shootout defeat of their own.
In their Semi-Final clash with Kazakhstan, Greece recorded a comfortable 5-0 victory, with Sio named amongst the substitutes.
The midfielder was introduced after 67 minutes of the Final with Georgia, playing the remainder of the 90 and the entirety of extra time. The game ended goalless, and Georgia triumphed 4-2 in the shootout.
Greece Results: UEFA EURO 2024 Play-Offs
Greece 5-0 Kazakhstan, Agia Sophia Stadium, Athens
Georgia 0-0 Greece, Tblisi
JC IN ACTION FOR NIGERIA
Jamilu Collins made two appearances for Nigeria as the Super Eagles played out friendly fixtures in preparation for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in June.
Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in their opening game, before suffering a 2-0 loss against Mali in the second fixture. Both matches took place in Morocco.
JC came off the bench for the final few minutes of the win over Ghana, and played the full 90 minutes against Mali.
Nigeria Results: International Friendlies
Nigeria 2-1 Ghana, Marrakech, Morocco
Mali 2-0 Nigeria, Marrakech, Morocco
ETHAN WINS NATIONS LEAGUE
Ethan Horvath and the USA national team tasted success this month, winning the CONCACAF Nations League for the third time.
The Stars and Stripes needed extra time to defeat Jamaica in their Semi-Final clash, eventually running out as 3-1 winners.
In the Final, the USMNT secured the title with a 2-0 victory over Mexico. Deputising for Nottingham Forest stopper Matt Turner, Ethan was on the USA bench for both matches.
USA Results: CONCACAF Nations League
USA 3-1 Jamaica, AT&T Stadium, Texas
USA 2-0 Mexico, AT&T Stadium, Texas
CALLUM RETURNS TO INTERNATIONAL ACTION
Callum O'Dowda made his return to international action after a nine-month absence, coming off the bench in the Republic of Ireland's clash with Switzerland.
The winger played the final 11 minutes of the friendly clash at the Aviva Stadium, but couldn't help his side from suffering a 1-0 loss.
The Boys in Green, who are under the interim management of John O'Shea, drew 0-0 with Belgium in their first match of the window, with Callum an unused substitute.
Republic of Ireland Results: International Friendlies
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Belgium, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Switzerland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS GET THE BETTER OF SAN MARINO
Saint Kitts and Nevis picked up a win and a draw in their friendly double-header against San Marino.
The Sugar Boyz won 3-1 in the first of the two games, and then the two sides played out a goalless stalemate four days later.
City midfielder Romaine Sawyers was selected, but did not feature in either match.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Results: International Friendlies
San Marino 1-3 Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino Stadium, Serrevalle
San Marino 0-0 Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino Stadium, Serrevalle
BLUEBIRDS FEATURE AS WALES U17S QUALIFY
At U17 level, trio Jac Thomas, Jake Davies and Ronan Kpakio helped Wales progress from the U17 Euro Elite Round and reach the EURO Championship Finals, which will take place in Cyprus.
Cody Twose, Dakarai Mafico, Dylan Lawlor, Josh Beecher, Luey Giles, Trey George and Troy Perrett all featured in an U19 double-header with Belgium, losing the first game 1-0 before winning the second by the same scoreline.
Rubin Colwill scored for Wales U21 as they defeated Lithuania, with Tom Davies also involved. Joel Colwill started the Young Dragons' second match, a friendly against Morocco's squad for the Olympic Games.
Wales youth results:
Wales U17 2-1 Romania U17, Centrul de Fotbal Buftea Teren Natural, Buftea
Wales U17 1-2 Sweden U17, Centrul de Fotbal Buftea Teren Natural, Buftea
Bulgaria U17 1-2 Wales U17, Centrul de Fotbal Buftea Teren Natural, Buftea
Belgium U19 1-0 Wales U19, Proximus Basecamp, Belgium
Belgium U19 0-1 Wales U19, Proximus Basecamp, Belgium
Wales U21 2-1 Lithuania U21, Rodney Parade, Newport
Morocco U23 2-0 Wales U21, Antalya, Turkey