Viviane Asseyi

Women's International round-up: Asseyi scores on France return

Several West Ham United players have been in action for their respective countries over the weekend.

The October international break is in full swing, and there are still some crucial matches to come that involve Hammers over the coming days. 

Here's a look at what happened in international matches from 8-10 October. 

On Friday evening, Viviane Asseyi made a scoring return to the French national team, converting from the penalty spot in a 2-1 defeat by Germany. 

Asseyi notched her 13th goal for Les Bleues after coming off the bench in the 73rd minute. By then, Alexandra Popp had put Germany two goals in front, but the Hammers forward came on and confidently slotted in what would prove to only be a consolation from 12 yards. 

Hawa Cissoko was an unused substitute in the defeat but will be hoping to feature in their match against Sweden on Tuesday evening. 

On Saturday, Mackenzie Arnold was an unused substitute as Australia beat South Africa 4-1 in a friendly match at Kingsmeadow. 

The Matildas were rampant in the first-half, with Cortnee Vine scoring twice and Clare Polkinghorne adding a third before the break. Caitlin Foord scored a fourth before Hildah Magaia fired in a consolation for South Africa before the full-time whistle sounded. 

Arnold will be hoping to feature for Australia in their final friendly match of the break when they face Denmark on Tuesday evening. 

Japan

Both Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi featured for Japan in their 2-0 victory over New Zealand at the Nagano U Stadium. 

The duo started for Nadeshiko, with Shimizu playing the full 90 minutes and Hayashi being substituted on 69 minutes. 

Hinata Miyazawa opened the scoring for Japan just before half-time as they dominated the play overall, having 22 shots in total throughout the contest. Forward Riko Ueki notched her team’s second of the game on 61 minutes as Japan made it back-to-back 2-0 victories, having beaten Nigeria on Thursday by the same scoreline. 

Alex Hennessy scored for England U19s in their 3-0 victory over Slovakia in 2023 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifying.

Hennessy lined up alongside Halle Houssein from the start at the Futbalový štadion NTC Poprad in Poprad, with England looking to continue their good form after smashing Slovenia 6-0 in their previous group game. 

Karolina Bayerova scored an own-goal to give the Young Lionesses the lead, before Hennessy found the back of the net with a great volley that Marína Anna Štefániková had no chance with. Manchester United’s Keira Barry added a third before full-time to give England a 100% record in the competition so far.

Thea Kyvåg helped Norway U19s to their second win in the same qualification tournament on Saturday, beating Portugal 2-1.

Kyvåg played the full 90 minutes in the win at the Complexo Desportivo da Tocha, with Norway now needing to avoid defeat in their final game against Belgium to top the group, with that game taking place on Tuesday. 

Both England and Norway have already qualified for Round 2, in which 28 nations will play in seven groups of four, with the seven winners joining hosts Belgium at the finals next year.

Finally, on Monday (10th Oct), Mel Filis played the full 90 minutes for England U23s as they drew 1-1 with Sweden in Fulkenburg.

The 20-year-old midfielder came off the bench in the Young Lionesses defeat to Norway last week, but was in from the start in their second friendly of the break.

Freya Gregory came off the bench and put the away side a goal to the good, but Matilda Vinberg would fire home her second goal in as many matches to tie the match. 
 

Still To Come... 

Crucial 2023 World Cup play-off matches are still to be played, with Lisa Evans and Scotland facing off against Izzy Atkinson and the Republic of Ireland, whilst Dagny Brynjarsdottir will likely be involved in Iceland's match against Portugal. 

Asseyi and Cissoko could feature for France, Hennessy and Houssein could feature for England U19s. Kyvåg will also be hoping to be in action for Norway U19s. 

Izzy Atkinson

Here's a list of all the fixtures involving West Ham United players that are still to come. 

Tuesday 11 October:

Denmark U19s v England U19s, Women's U19s Championship, Štadión Nová Ves, 1pm BST. 
Belgium U19s v Norway U19s, Women's U19s Championship, Complexo Desportivo da Tocha, 3pm BST. 
Denmark v Australia, Friendly, Viborg Stadium, 5pm BST.
Sweden v France, Friendly, Gamla Ullevi, 5:30pm BST.
Portugal v Iceland, World Cup play-off, Estádio da Mata Real, 6pm BST. 
ScotlandRepublic of Ireland, World Cup play-off, Hampden Park, 8pm BST. 

 

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