A number of Oxford United stars were in action for their countries during the international break.
Ciaron Brown, Jamie Donley, Jamie McDonnell and Brodie Spencer were all called up to represent Northern Ireland during the international break, while Mark Harris featured for Wales and Ole Romeny was in action for Indonesia.
It proved to be a mixed international window for the U’s contingent. Northern Ireland’s quartet travelled to face Italy in their FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday, with Jamie Donley and Brodie Spencer both named in the starting XI. However, a 2-0 defeat in Bergamo brought their campaign to an end, denying Northern Ireland a first World Cup appearance since 1986.
Mark Harris was introduced as a second-half substitute in Wales’s play-off clash with Bosnia & Herzegovina in Cardiff. After a tense encounter finished 1-1 following extra time, the tie was decided by penalties. Harris confidently converted from the spot, but Wales were ultimately edged out, as Bosnia progressed to set up a final against Italy.
On Tuesday evening, the Northern Ireland group faced Wales in a friendly in Cardiff. Jamie Donley started and made his mark by opening the scoring, claiming his second international goal, while Ciaron Brown and Brodie Spencer also featured. Jamie McDonnell and Mark Harris were unused substitutes on the night.
Elsewhere, Ole Romeny delivered an outstanding performance for Indonesia in their 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis in the FIFA Series semi-final. He registered two first-half assists to help establish control, before adding a goal of his own shortly after the break.
Romeny was again in action a few days later, playing the full 90 minutes as Indonesia were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Bulgaria in Jakarta.
