International Round-Up | Swansea City players on international duty
Swansea City’s international contingent have been kept busy during the latest window, with players representing their countries across Europe, Asia and North America.
There have been goals, international debuts, silverware and some memorable individual performances, with a number of Swans playing multiple times during the new extended break.
Jisung Eom enjoyed a hugely successful Asian Games campaign with South Korea. The winger made a sensational start by scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Qatar, before contributing an assist in the 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
He then came off the bench in the quarter-final victory over Vietnam, before returning to the starting line-up for the semi-final against China, where he provided two assists in a 2-1 win.
Eom saved his biggest moment for the final, scoring the only goal against Japan to secure the gold medal for South Korea.
Stephen Welsh made his senior Scotland debut in a goalless draw against Slovenia, helping his side keep a clean sheet. The Swansea defender then featured in the 3-0 defeat to Switzerland before returning to the starting line-up for Scotland’s 2-0 victory over North Macedonia.
Welsh started again in Scotland’s final game of the window, playing 66 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Slovenia before being replaced by Aaron Hickey.
That opening fixture also saw Welsh come up against Swansea teammate Zan Vipotnik, who came off the bench for Slovenia. Vipotnik then started their following game against North Macedonia, playing 70 minutes in a 2-0 victory.
He also started against Switzerland, scoring Slovenia’s goal in a 2-1 defeat, before starting again in their final game against Scotland. Vipotnik played 79 minutes as Slovenia came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Hampden Park.
Adam Idah was on target for the Republic of Ireland in their 3-0 victory over Israel, scoring his first international goal in a year. The Swansea striker then featured in the 2-2 draw with Austria, providing the assist for Troy Parrott’s opener, before starting again in the 1-1 draw with Israel. Idah played 68 minutes in the final game of the window.
Ben Cabango enjoyed a particularly memorable window with Wales, facing two of the biggest names in world football. The Swansea captain started the 1-0 defeat to Portugal and came up against Cristiano Ronaldo before being a substitute in their next game against Denmark.
He returned for the 2-1 victory over Norway, producing an outstanding display as Wales kept Erling Haaland quiet. Cabango then started the final game of the window against Denmark, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 defeat.
Marko Stamenic and Elijah Just were both involved in New Zealand’s busy international schedule. The pair featured as substitutes in a 2-2 draw with Palestine before Stamenic captained the All Whites to a 3-0 victory over China, with Just also featuring.
Stamenic then scored in the Kirin Cup semi-final against Panama as New Zealand drew 1-1 before progressing on penalties, while Just earned his 50th cap. The All Whites subsequently faced Japan in the final, with Stamenic and Just both starting as New Zealand fell to a 2-1 defeat.
Stephen Eustaquio and Lawrence Vigouroux went head-to-head when Canada faced Chile, with Eustaquio coming off the bench as Canada secured a 1-0 victory.
Vigouroux started in goal for Chile and made several important saves to keep his side in the contest. Both players remained involved as their countries continued their respective schedules.
Eustaquio then captained Canada against the United States, but was forced off at half-time after suffering a shoulder injury as Canada fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Vigouroux, meanwhile, started Chile’s final game against Mexico and produced several important saves as his side secured a 2-0 victory in Los Angeles.
Filip Lissah continued his impressive start to the season with Czech Republic Under-21s. The defender scored his first international goal in a 1-1 draw against Azerbaijan before featuring again in a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria.
Lissah then played the full 90 minutes as Czech Republic suffered a 2-0 defeat to Portugal in their final game of the window.
Leo Walta enjoyed a productive international spell with Finland, scoring four goals during the window. The midfielder netted twice in the 7-0 victory over San Marino before Finland were held to a goalless draw by Belarus.
He then struck twice more as Finland came from behind to beat Albania 2-1, taking his international tally for the window to four goals. Walta completed the window by playing the full 90 minutes as Finland suffered a 1-0 defeat to Belarus.
Bobby Wales enjoyed a positive window with Scotland Under-21s, scoring in both of their victories. The on-loan Swansea forward came off the bench to score in a 5-2 win over Azerbaijan before repeating the feat in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Bulgaria, netting in stoppage time.
Elsewhere, Tiago Parente featured three times for Portugal Under-20s during the window. The Swansea defender played 66 minutes in a 3-1 defeat to Poland before coming off the bench for 13 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to Switzerland. He then started against Czechia, playing 69 minutes as Portugal secured an impressive 5-0 triumph.
