INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP | OCTOBER 2024

During the international break, six members of our first-team squad jetted off to various corners of the globe to represent their respective countries in competitive action.

From Montserrat to Trieste via Kampala, let’s have a look at some of their adventures!

JORT VAN DER SANDE

After making the 5,075-mile pilgrimage to the Caribbean island paradise where he enjoyed his formative years, Jort van der Sande secured his sixth and seventh international caps in Bonaire’s double-header with Montserrat.

Rather than taking his place at the spearhead of Rilove Janga’s frontline, the 28-year-old was deployed in the heart of the CONCACAF Nations League C action as a central midfielder.

Flourishing in his new role, van der Sande remained true to his tenacious and combative style of play, winning more aerial duels across the two matches than any of his colleagues. In the latter clash, he also boasted a 100% dribble success rate, taking on his opponent with effect five times.

Despite falling to defeat in the opening matchup in Kingston, a 1-0 triumph three days later courtesy of an Ayrton Cicillia strike helped Bonaire move off the bottom of Group One as they look to avoid relegation into League C.

RICHARD ODADA

Richard Odada continues to be a key figure within the Kenya set-up, and having now made his 20th appearance for his homeland, is the most capped player at Dundee United.

The Harambee Stars battled with eastern rivals, Cameroon, on two occasions over the weekend as the pair target a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations via Qualifying Group J.

His 13th and 14th consecutive Kenya starts saw him retain a whopping pass accuracy percentage average of 92% against the five-time AFCON Champions, but both matches unfortunately ended in defeat.

Their quest to qualify for next year's edition of the tournament resumes in November against Zimbabwe and latterly Namibia - both of whom have fallen at the hands of an Odada-led side in recent months.

DAVID BABUNSKI

Accepting his 20th call-up to a resurgent North Macedonia side, former Barcelona starlet David Babunski marked his return to the fold with an influential display as Blagoja Milevski’s men swept Latvia aside.

Our number ten played two-thirds of the UEFA Nations League C Group Four fixture, and led the charts for accurate passes into the final third, with eight. Furthermore, no player on the pitch successfully dribbled past their opponent on more occasions than Babunski - elegance personified on the right of the front trio.

The 30-year-old was then an unused substitute in the subsequent tussle with Armenia. 

Eye-catching finishes from ex-Aberdeen star Bojan Miovski and Isnik Alimi in the closing quarter sent North Macedonia six points clear at the top of Group Four, and they now sit within touching distance of promotion to League B. 

EMMANUEL ADEGBOYEGA

Netting the winner on William Hill Premiership Matchday Seven and making his Ireland U21s bow in a crucial UEFA Under-21 EURO Qualifying clash with Norway - all in a week’s work for Emmanuel Adegboyega!

The Dundalk native lined up on the right of a back three which featured compatriots plying their trade in Holland and Italy, as the boys in green played out a 1-1 draw with their Nordic opponents.

Whilst earning his first international stripes, Adegboyega made four interceptions, won seven defensive duels and made 44 passes which found their intended target.

A match-up with table-topping Italy followed - the Norwich City loanee once again named in Jim Crawford’s starting XI. 

Win or bust in Trieste, the Emerald Isle’s youngsters earned a Group A point with a valiant display, however this wouldn’t be enough to secure a place in the playoffs for next year’s Finals in Slovakia.

JACK NEWMAN AND MILLER THOMSON

Jack Newman and Miller Thomson were reduced to spectating Scotland U21s’ disappointing reverses to Belgium and latterly Kazakstan - results which ended any hopes of the Young Team competing in the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championships.