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United Nations: International Round-Up
Written by Newcastle Utd
Shane Ferguson made his full international debut while Haris Vuckic won his first Slovenia cap on a good night for Newcastle's Academy
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
It was a good night for the Newcastle United Academy as two recent youth products made international debuts on Wednesday.
Shane Ferguson started for Northern Ireland in their 3-0 defeat to Norway, making his full international bow almost three years after he won his first cap as a substitute against Italy in 2009. The Derry-born left-footer played for 69 minutes at Windsor Park, but former Newcastle midfielder Michael O'Neill got off to a losing start as manager.
Havard Nordtveit gave Norway the lead before Tarik Elyounossi and Espen Ruud added late goals, although an early cross from Ferguson led to Gareth McAuley, Martin Paterson and Steve Davis all being denied by keeper Rune Jarstein.
Meanwhile in Koper, Haris Vuckic came on for Slovenia after 61 minutes and made a promising bow in a 1-1 draw with Scotland.
Andraz Kirm gave Slovenia the lead before Wolves defender Christophe Berra levelled matters for the Tartan Army.
Another former Academy player, Tim Krul was an unused substitute for Holland as they beat England 3-2 at Wembley.
Roma keeper Maarten Stekelenburg started for the Oranje, with the Magpies custodian left kicking his heels. Arjen Robben and Klaus van Huntelaar put the Dutch 2-0 up before Gary Cahill and Ashley Young drew England level, but Robben scored his second to win the game.
Tamas Kadar, another player off the Little Benton conveyor belt, played for Hungary in their 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in Gyor and was booked in the 33rd minute.
Adam Szalai gave the Magyars the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Valeri Bojinov equalised late on to give Luboslav Penev a draw in his first match in charge of Bulgaria.
Elsewhere, Cheick Tiote played the full 90 minutes for Ivory Coast in their first game since losing to Zambia in the final of the African Cup of Nations.
The Elephants drew 0-0 with Guinea in Abidjan.
Yohan Cabaye started for France against Germany in Bremen, and was brought off after 62 minutes as his side won 2-1 with Olivier Giroud and Florent Malouda on target for Les Bleus. Cacau pulled one back in stoppage time.
Meanwhile, young left-back Paul Dummett won his third under-21 cap for Wales, coming on as a 61st minute substitute during their 4-0 European Under-21 Championships qualifier win over Andorra.
He put in a solid display to help Brian Flynn's side see the game out and take them into second in the Group Three, behind leaders Czech Republic.
On Tuesday, Davide Santon played the first half of Italy under-21s' draw with France in Cannes.