International Blues (Weds)

Last updated : 10 September 2009 By Brian Cartlidge
Blues goalkeeper Maik Taylor and midfielder Damien Johnson were once again named in the starting XI for Northern Ireland's World Cup Group Three game against Slovakia.

Both Blues players completed the full ninety minutes as Nigel Worthington's side were defeated in Belfast.

Stanislav Sestak gave the vistors the lead 15 minutes into the game at Windsor Park and Filip Holosko netted a second on 66 minutes to earn the Group leaders a 2-0 away victory.



Blues midfielder Seb Larsson was named amongst the substitutes for Sweden's World Cup Group One qualifier against Malta.

Laarsson played for the final eight minutes of the game at the Ta'Qali National Stadium in Malta.

Ian Azzopardi's own goal on 81 minutes earned the Swedes a 1-0 away win.



Blues' South American pair Giovanni Espinoza and Cristian Benitez were both selected in the starting XI for Ecuador in their World Cup qualifying game against Bolivia in La Paz.

Both Blues players completed the full ninety minutes for Sixto Vizuete's side who took the lead through Edison Méndez just four minutes into the match at the Hernando Siles Stadium.

Antonio Valencia doubled Ecuador's advantage just a minute into the second period before Benitez made it 3-0 to the visitors on 56 minutes.

Gerardo Cesar Yecerotte scored what proved to be just a consolation goal for the hosts four minutes from the end of normal time.



Blues striker Garry O'Connor was once again named amongst the substitutes for Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Russia at Hampden Park.

O'Connor was introduced into the action on 83 minutes but Holland ended Scotland's hopes of reaching the finals in South Africa next year scoring just a minute later through Eljero Elia to earn a 1-0 win against George Burley's side.



Young Blues winger Jay O'Shea was named in the starting XI for the Republic of Ireland in their UEFA Under-21 European Championship qualifier away match against Estonia.

O'Shea, who joined Blues from Galway last month, played for the first 73 minutes of the game in Rakvere which ended in a 1-1 draw.



New signing Teemu Tainio was missing from the Finland squad for their Group Four qualifier in Liechtenstein.

The new Blues midfielder sustained a calf injury and was substituted 46 minutes into Finland's 2-1 away win in Azerbaijan on Saturday.

The game at the Rheinpark Stadion on Wednesday night ended all square at 1-1.