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Molumby hoping for another chance to impress

Midfielder picks up man of the match award in only his second full international.

By Bruce Talbot • 13 October 2020

By FAI
Jayson Molumby won Man of the Match against Wales.

Jayson Molumby is hoping an eye-catching performance in only his second international appearance will earn him another chance to impress on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old was a late call-up into the Republic of Ireland’s team for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League game against Wales. But Molumby acquitted himself well in the midfield battle with Aaron Ramsey in the goalless draw in Dublin and was named man of the match.

Molumby said, "You want to play against the best players and he’s up there with the best in his position in the world.

“He is playing at a huge club in Juventus so it was a huge challenge but I thought we did quite well to be honest as a team.”

Five Ireland players had to withdraw because of a positive Covid-19 test in the camp but Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, who managed Molumby when he was in charge of the under-21s, had no hesitation in throwing him into the fray.

“You’re always ready to play for your country and hoping you will get picked. I was just happy to play and wanted to do my best for the team. It was an honour to play for my country.

“I know the gaffer well and I probably know what to expect from him more than anyone else and what he wants from us players so I just tried doing the same as what he wanted from me with the 21s.

“I wasn’t so nervous because I knew everyone and obviously we want to do well for Stephen because we’re all buzzing with the way he wants to play.”

Albion team-mate Aaron Connolly missed the Wales game and last Thursday’s Euro 2021 play-off in Slovakia but is back in the squad for Wednesday’s Nations League match against Finland in Dublin, along with Shane Duffy

Several other Albion players will be hoping for involvement with their countries in the next round of Nations League fixtures this week.

Holland’s Joel Veltman and Belgium’s Leandro Trossard were both unused subs against England and Bosnia and Herzegovina respectively at the weekend. Belgium host Iceland on Wednesday while the Dutch travel to Italy.

In South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup Alexis Mac Allister is with Argentina preparing for a game against Bolivia in La Paz tonight.

Steven Alzate came on for the last 17 minutes of Colombia’s 3-0 win over Venezuela at the weekend. Colombia are in action again on Wednesday against Chile.