Internationals: Hornets Feature For Their Nations

Eight senior Hornets went away with their countries during the March international break – here’s how they all got on…

Giorgi Chakvetadze was in goalscoring form for Georgia as his country avoided relegation to League C of the UEFA Nations League with an emphatic 9-1 aggregate victory over Armenia. 

The Hornets midfielder played 66 minutes as his side won the opening away leg 3-0, putting themselves in a commanding position ahead of the second game.

Georgia then swept aside the Armenians 6-1 in front of their own supporters, with Chakvetadze scoring the third from inside the box.

The midfielder was withdrawn at half-time after a job already well done for his country.

Elsewhere in Europe, there was a big moment for Rocco Vata who made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland.

The youngster entered the field 79 minutes into the first leg as the Irish also avoided relegation to League C by overcoming Bulgaria 4-2 on aggregate.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side won both legs 2-1, with Hornets defender James Abankwah an unused substitute in each match as he awaits his first senior cap.

Goalkeeper Egil Selvik was twice an unused substitute for Norway as they began their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a 5-0 win away in Moldova and then a 4-2 victory against Israel in Hungary.

In Africa, Edo Kayembe was introduced from the bench in the 61st minute as DR Congo defeated South Sudan in a World Cup qualifier.

The midfielder then grabbed an assist in the country’s second game of the international break, setting Charles Pickel up for the opening goal after three minutes in the eventual 2-0 win over Mauritania.

Jeremy Ngakia, who was named in the DR Congo squad for the first time, was not given any game-time in either match.

Forward Vakoun Bayo came on in the 78th minute as Ivory Coast beat Burundi 1-0 away in the first of their two World Cup qualifiers.

He was then unused in the 1-0 home win over Gambia in their second game.

Francisco Sierralta joined up with his Chile teammates, who continued their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 away defeat against Paraguay and then a goalless draw at home to Ecuador.

The centre-back was not used in either of the games.

Four Academy players were also in action for their countries during the recent international break.

Raul Vancea provided an assist as Romania Under-17s earned a dominant 10-0 victory over Liechenstein, before playing the full 90 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Scotland as well as the 3-0 away win over North Macedonia.

Nickson Okosun made three substitute appearances for Republic of Ireland Under-19s; first in their 3-0 loss to Finland, before featuring in their 1-1 draw against Slovenia and 1-0 defeat against Germany.

Marat Galajevs started all three of Latvia Under-19s' matches, featuring for the full 90 in the 1-1 draw against Italy and the 2-1 loss against France, before playing another 68 minutes in the 4-1 defeat at the hands of Spain.

Finally, goalkeeper Gabriel Ortelli made his debut as a substitute for Cyprus Under-21s in their second game of the window, beating Israel 3-1.