Mixed fortunes for City stars in November World Cup qualifiers

MARKO ARNAUTOVIC was on the losing side of his battle against Stoke City’s Republic of Ireland duo at the weekend – and there was further bad news on the winning side as well.

GLENN WHELAN was forced off with hamstring problem just 24 minutes into the World Cup qualifier on Saturday and could now miss out on the Potters’ clash with Bournemouth at the bet365 Stadium this weekend.
Whelan watched on as JONATHAN WALTERS and Co secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Austria courtesy of James McClean’s 48th minute effort. Arnautovic and Walters both played the full 90 minutes in Vienna, with the latter also having a goal ruled out for offside.

The result sees the Republic top Group D with 10 points from their opening four matches, two clear of Serbia who snatched a draw from JOE ALLEN and Wales during the same evening.

Gareth Bale had opened the scoring with half an hour on the clock at the Cardiff City Stadium only for Aleksandar Mitrovic to silence the home crowd with a later leveller.

Wales and Austria occupy third and fourth spots with six and four points respectively.

In Group A, BRUNO MARTINS INDI watched from the bench as the Netherlands secured a 3-1 victory away to neighbours Luxembourg. The Dutch trail leaders France by three points.
Elsewhere in the African section of qualifying, RAMADAN helped Egypt maintain their 100% start in Group E with a 2-0 win over Ghana.

Goals from Mohamed Salah and Abdallah Said made it two wins from two with the 19-year-old earning his 10th cap as a half-time substitute during the game, playing a part in the Pharaoh’s second goal in Alexandria.

MAME DIOUF came on after an hour in Senegal’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa.

The Lions of Teranga were two goals down at the time of his introduction and despite halving the deficit shortly after they were unable to rescue a positive result in Polokwane.

The defeat has seen them drop to third place in Group D, behind their both opponents and Burkina Faso.

WILFRIED BONY played the final 17 minutes for the Ivory Coast as they successfully secured a 0-0 draw in Morocco to maintain their unbeaten start in Group C.

The Elephants have four points from the opening two matches and are two ahead of both the Moroccans and Gabon as qualification takes a break for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Bony is set for further action tomorrow evening, however, when Ivory Coast face France in a friendly in Lens.

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Source: stokecity.com