November Internationals: Two more for Tau
In the name of the Lion of Judah, amen. Brighton & Hove Albion’s Percy Tau has certainly enjoyed himself in the November internationals as the goals continued to flow in South Africa’s quest to qualify for the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
After scoring against Sao Tome last week, Tau notched another two against the same opponents with Bafana Bafana racking up a 4-2 success which leaves then second in Group G behind Ghana.
Sao Tome had to surrender home advantage due to being unable to provide a Covid-safe environment. That saved Tau and his teammates a long journey to the tiny island located off the north coast of Africa and South Africa took full advantage by emerging victorious in the familiar settings of the Nelson Mandela Stadium.
They did not have it all their own way, however. Sao Tome took a shock lead with just 12 minutes played from the penalty spot via Joazhifel Soares.
Bafana spurned plenty of opportunities after that including Tau missing a very easy chance, which suggests he should fit in well at the Albion should a work permit come through in January (please God).
Themba Zwane eventually equalised for South Africa just before half time. Tau then showed his class early in the second half, scoring with a fine cross-shot which flew into the top corner.
If Bafana thought that would put them on easy street, then they were in for (another) shock. Harramiz Soares of Portuguese second division side Leixões S.C made it 2-2 with a header, after which the Tau show really started as he hauled his nation to three very important points in the final 30 minutes.
The Lion of Judah played a part in South Africa retaking the lead. His clever through ball found Kermit Erasmus and although Erasmus’ shot was saved, Zwane was on hand to tap home the rebound to complete his brace.
Tau joined Zwane in the double club with two minutes remaining thanks to a clinical right footed finish to round off his November internationals contribution. Yes, we really have just used the word clinical to describe a Brighton striker.
In the Nations League, Jakub Moder’s Poland took on Joel Veltman’s Netherlands but the Brighton contingent only featured for a combined 20 minutes in Chorzow.
Veltman was an unused substitute for the second match running whilst Moder was a 70th minute introduction in place of Napoli midfielder Piotr Zieliński.
Poland were winning 1-0 at that point, a lead given to them thanks to Kamil Jozwiak’s early first half strike. Memphis Depay equalised shortly after Moder had entered the fray and Georginio Wijnaldum completed the turnaround with the winner six minutes from time as the Dutch won 2-1.
Leo Ostigard’s chances of making his senior debut for Norway during the November internationals were reduced when the Norwegian government banned the national team from travelling to Romania for their Nations League game on Sunday.
That left Ostigard’s hopes of earning a first cap hinging solely on featuring away in Austria on Wednesday night, a game the government did allow to take place. Unfortunately, the defender did not make the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw in Vienna.
Shane Duffy helped the Republic of Ireland keep a clean sheet as they drew 0-0 with Bulgaria. The result meant that the Boys in Green have scored just one goal in eight games in 2020, leaving Duffy as the Republic’s top scorer this calendar year. What a ridiculous statistic.
At Under 21 level, Graham Potter was probably a happy man to see Tariq Lamptey remain on the bench as England hammered Albania 5-0 at Molineux on Tuesday night.
Andi Zeqiri was booked in Switzerland’s 3-1 defeat to France and Viktor Gyokeres was not involved as Sweden were beaten 4-1 in Italy.
