International Football 2016/17: 5 players who impressed in the September international break
There are those who ‘hate’ the international break, given that it comes right when we are getting into the swing of things in the new season. However, the excellent summer of international football, with the Copa America Centenario and the Euro 2016 prove that nations duking it out on the pitch instead of clubs is still a desirable event.
Indeed, some players can look at international football as a break, as they shrug off a miserable start to the season and enjoy the ‘distraction’ of playing for their country.
Here are 5 players who shone in this International break.
1) Gareth Bale
You would expect that after a summer where Gareth Bale won the Champions League and guided Wales to their best ever finish in a major international tournament, he would pop up on a beach with some cocktails and relax. Yet, the Welsh wizard has not let up, playing with the same intensity and hunger, thus beginning the 2016/17 season with a bang.
Moldova are hardly the most scary of opponents, but they kept the Welsh out for the opening half hour, with Chris Coleman’s side looking rather sluggish. With the capacity crowd in Cardiff getting more nervous with memories of old failings coming back, up stepped Bale to get Wales’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign off to a good start.
First, a peach of a cross from the right allowed Sam Vokes to break the deadlock, with Joe Allen making it two at the end of the half. Bale then pounced on a misplaced pass in defence and burst through with his trademark pace to clip an exquisitie finish over the onrushing keeper. A confident penalty at the end ensured that Bale capped off the night iwth two goals and an assist.
No wonder Real Madrid haven’t noticed Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.