Key moment for in-form Portsmouth striker to negotiate with eyes on crucial QPR and Cardiff City showdowns

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Pompey will be hoping for their trio of international players to emerge unscathed from their latest round of games today.

And that triumvirate includes in-form striker Mark O’Mahony, who is set for action in a crucial European Under-21 Championship qualifier for Republic of Ireland.

Meanwhile Australia face an important World Cup qualifier against Japan this morning, with Sammy Silvera on duty for the Socceroos.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Midfielder Terry Devlin is the third player potentially in action for Northern Ireland under-21s, who go to Luxembourg for their Euro qualifier.

It will be O’Mahony Blues fans will have the keenest eye on, with the Brighton loanee’s stay at PO4 gaining momentum after two goals in his past two Championship outings.

The 19-year-old featured off the bench in his country’s 1-1 draw with Norway last Friday at Turner’s Cross, playing the final 13 minutes as his team conceded a stoppage-time equaliser.

That leaves Jim Crawford’s side needing to beat Italy on their own patch to top the group, or better Norway’s result against Turkey to nab a runner-up spot.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

That would guarantee at least a play-off game, though the best three second-placed sides will advance straight to the finals in Slovakia next year.

The Socceroos face a testing challenge, as they look to make history by gaining their first win against Japan on the road in their World Cup qualifier.

Tony Popovic’s men won their first game under their new manager last week, as they came from a goal down to beat China 3-1 in Brisbane.

Silvera was not named in the 23-man matchday squad, despite travelling across the world to be part of the Socceroos group.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Middlesbrough loanee will be hoping for some involvement in Saitama, with his country sat in second place in a tight AFC qualifying group.

Australia are ahead of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on goal difference, with the top two guaranteed to go to the finals and the six third and fourth-placed teams going into play-offs for two spots.

Devlin sees his team round off their qualifying campaign on the road, as they go to Luxembourg with no chance of making the under-21 finals.

The former Glentoran man will be helping to aid Tommy Wright’s team to win which could see them finish third in Group F.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1877
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice