Saturday 14 November 2009, 16:33
by Paul Dargan @YourEverton
Everton will have two more players representing their country at next summer's World Cup.
And both will be on the same side, as Joseph Yobo and Yakubu helped Nigeria overcome the odds in order to beat Tunisia to the only qualification place available in Group 2 of the African section.
Yakubu netted the second of the Super Eagles' goals as they beat Kenya in Nairobi 3-2 as group leaders Tunisia crashed to a 1-0 defeat in Mozambique.
Former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins scored either side of Yakubu's 65th minute effort as Nigeria came from behind to finish a point clear of their main rivals.
In Moscow, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov scored once in each half as Russia secured a 2-1 win in the first leg of their World Cup play-off against Slovenia.
The Blues midfielder scored a tremendous first - dragging the ball past two players inside the penalty area and clinically striking past Samir Handanovic in the Slovenian goal.
He was fortunate with the rebound leading up to his second, but again finished well.
But Nejc Pecnek's 88th-minute header means Guus Hiddink's side have just a slender advantage going into the second leg of the play-off in Maribor on Wednesday.
In Muscat, Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill were on the winning side as Australia came from a goal down to beat hosts Oman 2-1 - and that despite being reduced to 10 men.
Pim Verbeek's side went behind on 17 minutes when Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams was sent off for pulling-down Imad Al Hosni in the penalty area. The resulting penalty was parried by Mark Schwarzer, but the man taking the kick - Khalifa Ayil - scored via the fortuitous rebound.
Cahill forced a tremendous one-handed save from Ali Al Habsi after deflecting Craig Moore's initial header towards goal, but the Socceroos didn't have to wait long to draw level.
Three minutes before the interval Luke Wilkshire equalised, turning in Mark Bresciano's cross with his thigh.
Blackburn's Brett Emerton secured the three points with eight minutes left, when he brilliantly volleyed in David Carney's far-post cross. Australia top the group with two games remaining and look nailed on for a place in the 2011 Asian Cup Finals.
In an international friendly, John Heitinga particularly impressed for the Netherlands in their 0-0 draw with Italy in Pescara.
He was involved in a number of defensive clearances and challenges as the Oranje became the first side in over two years to stop the Azzuri from scoring in their own country.
Marouane Fellaini was on the scoresheet as Belgium regained their form by beating Hungary 3-0 in Ghent.
He scored a great individual effort on 38 minutes to set the Red Devils on their way.
Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen scored his first goal for his country 10 minutes after half-time, before St Etienne midfielder Kevin Mirallas converted a just after the hour mark to complete a comfortable victory.
Dan Gosling made a brief substitute appearance for England U21s in a European Championship qualifier at Wembley on Saturday.
Everton midfielder Gosling - who was included in the squad as a replacement for injured team-mate Jack Rodwell - came on in injury time for Aston Villa's Fabian Delph.
Stuart Pearce's side were given a narrow win courtesy of Danny Rose's 40th minute strike when he beat the Portuguese goalkeeper Hugo Ventura from close-range for the only goal of the game.
Pearce's side now trail Group Nine leaders Greece by three points, but have a game in hand over them.
Seamus Coleman was in action in the same tournament for Republic of Ireland U21s as they drew 1-1 for the second time in the group stages against Georgia.
Don Givens' side went ahead in the first half in Tbilisi - just as they had in the home game - as Graham Carey scored three minutes after the break, but with six minutes left, Vakhtang Kvaratskelia made sure that the points were shared.
The result does nothing to assist each country's cause in trying to qualify from Group 2.
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Samuel Collins
I agree with Malcolm vaughan is a top player who has been desperately unlucky with injuries and hasnt had the oppurtunity, give him a chance.
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Monday 16th Nov 2009 15:23
Agree with Samuel?
Malcolm Bubb
'Bily's first was real quility. He really looks a snip at £10M. On a different note, Clough has been quoted as considering a cash bid for Vaughan. I do not want Vaughan to go! Let him prove he is our third best striker. Give him at least 30 mins, every game, once fit. The other two fringe strikers have had much more of a chance. It's Vaughans turn now.
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Monday 16th Nov 2009 09:28
Agree with Malcolm?
DAVE HUNTER
Nice one to all the blues who had international games but a big nice one to Dan Gosling, ok he was only on the pitch for a minute or so but a cap is a cap. Still time to gatecrash the world cup.
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Monday 16th Nov 2009 08:40
Agree with DAVE?
Harikrishnan Vadakkath
great work from our players..need 2 see this for the club also...
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Sunday 15th Nov 2009 16:22
Agree with Harikrishnan?
Richard Grey
Well done blue boys! It's great to see all these everton players qualifying for this world cup unlike in past international competitions! Congrats especially to Billy and this just shows he should have been given more starts in Russia's previous games as he's clearly a real goal threat! Dissapointed for Baines though as he deserves an England place just as much, if not more than Bridge or Warnock!
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Saturday 14th Nov 2009 20:10
Agree with Richard?
Paul W. Casey
Good job, Eagles; but what about 'Bily' - two right-footed goals (so far!) & two defensive headers (that I've seen) - another Great Job, Moyesy!
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Saturday 14th Nov 2009 17:18
Agree with Paul W.?