Internationals: Eduardo on target for Croatia

There were 11 Gunners in action during a busy midweek international schedule. Read on for a round-up of how they fared.

Eduardo
Andorra 0-2 Croatia, April 1
Eduardo scored his first international goal since returning from injury during Croatia’s comfortable victory over Andorra. Ivan Klasnic had already opened the scoring in the 15th minute before the Rio-born striker finished neatly 20 minutes later from Klasnic’s cross. Eduardo completed all 90 minutes and picked up a booking. The victory keeps Croatia second behind England in Group Six.

Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri
France 1-0 Lithuania, April 1
William and Bacary both completed 90 minutes as France once again overcame Lithuania thanks to a solitary Frank Ribery strike. The Bayern Munich star scored Les Bleus’ winner against Lithuania in the 67th minute at the weekend, but it took him eight minutes longer this time around, tucking home Andre-Pierre Gignac’s cross-shot from close range. Gael and Samir were both unused substitutes and William picked up a caution.

Carlos Vela
Honduras 3-1 Mexico, April 1
Carlos played 90 minutes in Mexico’s disappointing defeat in Honduras. Carlos Costly handed the home side the advantage after 17 minutes and Carlos Pavon made it two just before the break. Costly grabbed his second 12 minutes from time and Nery Castillo converted a consolation penalty two minutes later. Carlos also picked up a caution.

Aaron Ramsey
Wales 0-2 Germany
Aaron made his first competitive start for Wales as they were undone by an efficient German side at the Millennium Stadium. Michael Ballack’s superb long-range strike put Germany in front after 11 minutes but Ramsey did not look out of place against the Chelsea midfielder who is almost twice the Welshman’s age. Despite an encouraging first-half performance, just three minutes after the interval Ashley Williams turned Mario Gomez’s cross into his own net to put the result beyond doubt.

Lukasz Fabianski
Poland 10-0 San Marino, April 1
Lukasz might never play an easier game of football in his life. The 23-year-old completed 90 minutes for Poland as they ran riot against San Marino. The hosts hit four in the first half and added six after the break - on-loan Bolton striker Ebi Smolarek grabbed four.

Nicklas Bendtner
Denmark 3-0 Albania, April 1
Nicklas came on after 33 minutes of Denmark’s convincing victory over Albania. Despite suffering an injury in the Danes’ victory over Malta at the weekend, the striker was named on the bench against Albania. Leon Andreasen had opened the scoring on the half hour before Bendtner’s introduction minutes later. Soren Larson doubled the advantage in the 36th minute and Christian Poulsen iced the cake 10 minutes from time.

Andrey Arshavin
Lichtenstein 0-1 Russia, April 1
Andrey played throughout Russia’s narrow victory in Liechtenstein. Konstantin Zyrianov hit the decisive goal in the 38th minute to cement Russia’s second place in Group Four.

Johan Djourou
Switzerland 2-0 Moldova, April 1
Johan was an unused substitute for Switzerland in their solid victory over Moldova. Blaise N’Kufo opened the scoring in the 20th minute and Alexander Frei sealed the points midway through the second half.

INTERNATIONAL WATCH - AT A GLANCE

Player	Minutes Played	Goals scored
Eduardo	90	1
Bacary Sagna	90
William Gallas	90
Carlos Vela	90
Aaron Ramsey	90
Lukasz Fabianski	90
Andrey Arshavin	90
Nicklas Bendtner	57
Gael Clichy	0
Samir Nasri	0
Johan Djourou	0

[Thursday, April 02, 2009]

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