x

Burgess Wins Cap as Australia Thrash Indonesia - Ipswich Town News

Town central defender Cameron Burgess played the full 90 minutes as Australia thrashed Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney this morning.

Burgess was winning his 14th full cap against the Indonesians with Blues defender Elkan Baggott not in the squad having preferred to stay behind with loan side Blackpool but reportedly in new manager Patrick Kluivert’s plans.

The Socceroos, who remain second in the qualification group, are also in action against China in Hangzou on Tuesday.

Burgess is the first of potentially eight Town players to win caps today. This evening, Blues pair Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor could add to their Republic of Ireland caps in their Nations League play-off first leg against Bulgaria in Plovdiv (Amazon Prime, KO 7.45pm).

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side are aiming to keep their place in League B having finished third in Group B2 behind England and Greece. The second leg is at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

O’Shea has previously won 32 Irish caps, usually operating at right-back, while Taylor made his senior international debut in October.

George Hirst could make his international debut when Scotland play Greece in the first leg of their Nations League play-off in Piraeus (BBC One Scotland/iPlayer KO 7.45pm). The second leg is at Hampden Park on Sunday.

If Hirst does play, he will become the fifth Town player to have won senior caps with the Scots, following George Burley, John Wark, Alan Brazil and Christophe Berra.

Keeper Cieran Slicker is also part of Steve Clarke's squad, but the 22-year-old seems unlikely to make it onto the field for his first full cap.

Blues loanee Julio Enciso is with the Paraguay squad for their World Cup qualifier against Chile in Asunción.

Enciso, who is on loan with Town until the end of the season from Brighton, has previously won 23 caps, scoring two goals.

The 21-year-old will become the first player to have represented Paraguay while at Portman Road if, as is likely, he is involved against the Chileans.

With six games left to play, Paraguay, who travel to take on Colombia next Wednesday, are currently sixth in the South American qualification group with the top six qualifying for the finals. The seventh-placed side go into a play-off tournament.

Keeper Aro Muric could make his 43rd senior appearance for Kosovo when they take on Iceland in the first leg of their Nations League play-off in Pristina. They travel to Spain for the second leg on Sunday.

Blues youngster Rio Morgan, 19, is with the Northern Irish U21s for a mini-tournament in Turkey and could win his first cap at that level in their opening game against Moldova this afternoon. The game is live on YouTube channel.

What to read next:

International Round-Up
The first international break of the season has concluded with Town seeing six first-team players, plus two more who out on loan, represent their countries. Here is a round-up of how they fared.
Quartet Win Caps as Ireland Defeated, Walle Egeli Scores For Norway U21s
Dara O’Shea, Jack Taylor and Chieo Ogbene started and Kasey McAteer came off the bench as the Republic of Ireland were beaten 2-1 by Armenia in a World Cup qualifier in Yerevan, while new signing Sindre Walle Egeli scored for Norway’s U21s.
Deadline For Wark Book Pre-Orders Friday as Town Legend to Appear at Ipswich Book Festival Event
The deadline for pre-orders of the new John Wark book He’s Here, He’s There is Friday, while the Blues legend and author Neil Prentice will be appearing at an Ipswich Book Festival event on Saturday 4th October.
Town Confirm 25-Man Squad
Town have confirmed their 25-man Championship squad.
Quartet Set For Irish Caps
Blues quartet Dara O’Shea, Jack Taylor, Kasey McAteer and Chieo Ogbene could all add to their caps when the Republic of Ireland face Armenia in their second World Cup qualifying group game in Yerevan this evening (Amazon Prime, KO 5pm).
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
New Book Reveals Untold Stories From Ramsey's Time at Town
A new book uses previously untold stories about legendary Blues and England manager Sir Alf Ramsey’s time at Town, to argue that Ramsey was even more of a hero than had been previously recognised.
Young: I've Still Got a Lot to Give On and Off the Pitch
Town full-back Ashley Young believes he still has plenty to offer on and off the pitch following his free transfer to Portman Road over the summer.
Hirst Could Add to Caps
Town striker George Hirst could add to his international caps this evening when Scotland take on Belarus in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary in their second World Cup qualifier this evening (BBC Three, KO 7.45pm).
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.