Pars the World Over

Five return from international duty

Sol Bamba was captain of the Ivory Coast Team that surprisingly defeated Egypt 3-1 last Saturday in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for China 2008. The match was held in the Ivory Coast and Sol captained the 'Espoirs' which is the name given to the under 23 team.

Jim O'Brien played for 83 minutes of the Republic of Ireland under-21 side going down 1-0 in Venlo to their Holland counterparts.

Adam Hammill played the full 90 minutes of England U19s friendly against Turkey on Wednesday 21 March at the Keepmoat Stadium, the home of Doncaster Rovers FC.  The home side won 1-0.

Greg Ross and the Scotland Under 20s returned from Canada having lost one and won one of their warm up friendlies on an artificial surface in Coquitlam and at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria.

The Scots will go back to the Royal Athletic Park for the World Cup in July but they will hardly recognise the stadium in Victoria when they return.  It will have temporary stands and a new pitch. Their preparation continues with a home friendly against Austria at Firhill Stadium in Glasgow on 1st May.

Greg Paterson returned from Holland last Saturday having played in Scotland's 1-1 draw against Holland U19s in Werkendam.