INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Posted on: Mon 09 Feb 2009

Among the many Chelsea men on international duty is Miroslav Stoch, who has earned his first call-up to the full Slovakia squad.

The 19-year-old has shown flashes of his capabilities in his limited first team outings, notably in the turnaround against Stoke City last month, and has now progressed from the Under 21s to the senior squad.

They take part in a tournament also featuring Branislav Ivanovic's Serbia, Ukraine and Cyprus, in Cyprus this week. Slovakia meet Ukraine while Serbia play the hosts on Tuesday, while on Wednesday the two winners and the two losers play off against each other.

For England, there are three Chelsea men involved in Fabio Capello's selection. Captain John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole all reported on Sunday evening for the friendly against Spain in Seville.

Joe Cole misses out through injury, while former Chelsea men Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole are also named. It is West Ham man Cole's first call.

Nicolas Anelka is in the France group to face Argentina on Wednesday, alongside ex-Blues Lassana Diarra and William Gallas.

Michael Ballack is expected to captain Germany against Norway in Dusseldorf on the same evening, while Portuguese pair Paulo Ferreira and Deco are in the Portugal squad that hosts Finland. Ricardo Carvalho has withdrawn due to his hamstring injury.

Of our African internationals, John Mikel Obi is in the Nigeria selection that plays Jamaica at Millwall's New Den home in London, while Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou are both in line to play for Ivory Coast against Turkey.

Ben Sahar, currently loaned to Dutch side De Graafschap, is in the Israel squad that entertains Hungary at the national stadium.

Fellow loanees Ryan Bertrand and Jack Cork join Michael Mancienne in the England Under 21 setup. They meet Ecuador on Tuesday evening in Malaga, Spain.

Our other Under 21 call-up was goalkeeper Rhys Taylor, an unused sub against Hull on Saturday. He was in the Wales squad due to meet Northern Ireland, but that fixture has been postponed.

At Under 19 level, Jeffrey Bruma is in the Holland squad that plays neighbours Belgium on Wednesday.

Source

"Stoch in silverlining shocker"

really, though, congrats to the lad, well deserved and maybe if the previous manager hadve shown that kind of faith he might still have a job

Congratulation to the boy, he's earned his chance. To represent your country at any age is special, to do it at the age of 19 must be like a dream come true for him. Hopefully this will bring a bit more focus on Stoch, resulting in him getting more playing time at Chelsea - depending on whoever the new manager is, of course.

Congrats Miroslav!!

Well done to the lad, suppose we can all thank Scolari for bringing him into the limelight

Indeed, well done to the lad. Lets hope he gets to make his debut and come back stronger for it.

I await the day when a Bulgarian future star will come through the ranks of Chelsea. Yes, I know, but I can still hope, can't I ?

well done kid , hopefully you'll get a full game .

I see that he came on as a sub in the 69 minute. Don't know anything more than that.

They got beat 3-2 by a late pen and play Cyprus tonight.