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International round-up: Mixed emotions for Martin
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Martin Dúbravka marked his return to the international stage with a clean sheet for Slovakia but the United ‘keeper’s side had to settle for a point against Cyprus in their opening 2022 World Cup qualifier.
Slovakia started as firm favourites in Nicosia but, if not for the Magpies’ stopper, they could easily have ended up on the wrong end of a shock defeat; “Dúbravka averted the catastrophe” was the take in the country’s ŠPORT newspaper. Already, the Sokoli can ill-afford to fire another blank when they take on Malta on Saturday.
The only Newcastle player to end up on the winning side during UEFA’s first round of qualifiers was Emil Krafth, who came on as a late substitute in Sweden’s 1-0 victory over Georgia. The Blågult already lead the way in Group B after Spain’s surprise draw against Greece.
Both Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick were involved for the Republic of Ireland as the Boys in Green went down 3-2 to Serbia in Group A. Clark played nearly 80 minutes while Hendrick entered the fray as a second-half substitute but a quick-fire brace from former Magpie Aleksandar Mitrovic ultimately proved pivotal. With group favourites Portugal also getting off to a winning start, Clark, Hendrick and co are already under pressure to see off Luxembourg in their second qualifier on Saturday.
Elsewhere, neither Ryan Fraser nor Jamal Lewis figured for their respective countries. Fraser remained on the bench as Scotland twice hit back to draw 2-2 with Austria, while a groin injury kept Lewis out of Northern Ireland’s 2-0 defeat in Italy.