International Blues ..

Last updated : 11 October 2009 By Brian Cartlidge
Blues midfielder Seb Larsson was named amongst the substitutes for Swedens World Cup, Group One, qualifier against Sweden on Saturday evening.

Larsson was introduced to the action on 62 minutes but his side were defeated by the only goal of the game scored by Danish midfielder Jacob Poulsen on 78 minutes.

The 1-0 win in Copenhagen guaranteed the Danes a place in next years World Cup tournament in South Africa but leaves Sweden's World Cup dream hanging by a thread. They have to beat Albania in Stockholm on Wednesday evening and then hope that Malta can beat Portugal in Lisbon on the same night.



Blues' South American pair Giovanni Espinoza and Cristian Benitez were both selected in the starting XI for Ecuador's World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay.

Antonio Valencia gave the hosts a 67th miniute lead in the game in Quito but Uruguay drew level just a minute later through Luis Suarez.

Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored from the penalty spot in the last minute of normal time to give Uruguay a 2-1 away win.

Blues striker Benitez completed the full ninety minutes for Sixto Vizuete's side whilst centre-back Espinoza was substituted with 12 minutes of the game remaining.

Ecuador now need to beat Chile in Santiago on Wednesday to have any chance of qualifying for the Finals.



On loan midfielder Teemu Tainio did not make the Finland squad who won 2-1 against Wales in Helsinki on Saturday afternoon as he picked up a knee injury during training on Friday whilst on loan goalkeeper Joe Hart was not chosen in the 18-man squad for England's game in Ukraine which ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts.



On Friday night Blues winger Jay O'Shea played the final ten minutes of the Republic of Ireland Under 21's side 1-1 away draw against Georgia in a UEFA Championship qualifier.