After a great performance away at Watford, Brighton headed into the international break full of confidence that things were changing. Now the international break has finished, Brighton’s players had a pretty successful one. With Shane Duffy, Davy Propper, Tomer Hemed and Matthew Ryan being called up to represent their nation respectively. The question is how did they get on below I explain this:
Shane Duffy:
The Irish centre-back had a great international break. In their first World Cup Qualifier in Group D against Moldova, Duffy got 90 minutes under his belt and scored three minutes into the game to help the Republic of Ireland to a 1-1 draw.
On Tuesday evening they came up top of the table of Serbia and Duffy again got another 90 minutes in a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Serbs courtesy of a goal from ex-Manchester City full-back Alexander Kolarov. It was a great break for Duffy who played every minute for Ireland, who are still in with a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup through the playoffs.
Davy Propper:
The Dutch midfielder had a fantastic international break as although he was an unused sub in The Netherlands World Cup Qualifier in Group A against France, he managed 86 minutes against Bulgaria. He had a sixth cap to remember notching a brace against the Bulgarian side and look magnificent in a slightly more attacking midfield role for The Dutch team.
Propper will have gained some much-needed confidence from this and hopefully, he can carry this form he showed for The Netherlands into Brighton’s game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as he can we could well be in for a treat at The AMEX.
Tomer Hemed:
The Israeli striker did not have the international break he hoped for with him getting only 45 minutes under his belt. The 45 minutes was in their World Cup Qualifier in Group G at home to Macedonia, in a one nil defeat in which Hemed came on at half-time. On Tuesday evening they played Italy in their other World Cup Qualifier but Hemed did not feature due to an injury stopping him playing against the Italians. Luckily the striker’s injury is only a knock and Brighton are not worried about ahead of the West Brom game and are confident he will be fit to lead the line at The AMEX.
Matthew Ryan:
The Australian goalkeeper had an average international break. Ryan played ever minute in Australia’s two World Cup Qualification Asia in a 2-0 defeat to Japan and a 2-1 win against Thailand. The Australian keeper conceded a total of three goals in the two games but will be looking to be on top form in between the sticks against West Brom, as if he makes any mistakes deadline day loanee Tim Krul could come in and take his place.
