Rayan Ait-Nouri was one of three Old Gold stars in international action this week, as the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup got underway.
The full-back played the full 90 of Algeria’s opening day draw, while Boubacar Traore came off the bench as Mali started with three points.
Hee Chan Hwang sat out of South Korea’s first group game through injury, but youngster Justin Hubner was in action for Indonesia, who began with a defeat.
Rayan Ait-Nouri | Algeria 1-1 Angola
Ait-Nouri and Algeria were forced to settle for a point on day one of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. The Wolves full-back played the full 90 minutes and Baghdad Bounedjah had put Algeria ahead of day one, but Mabululu's penalty on 68 minutes ensured the points were shared. In the other Group D game, Burkina Faso beat Mauritania 1-0. Algeria can move top of the group on Saturday, when they face current leaders Burkina Faso.
Next up: Algeria vs Burkina Faso | Saturday 20th January, 2pm
Boubacar Traore | Mali 2-0 South Africa
Traore and Mali enjoyed the perfect start to their Africa Cup of Nations group by beating South Africa 2-0 at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo. Traore watched from the bench initially, as the South Africans missed a first half penalty, but Mali came on strong after the break. Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko scored on 60 and 66 minutes to put Mali in control. Traore came off the bench in the closing stages to see out the victory, which leaves Mali top of Group E, ahead of Namibia who surprised Tunisia with a 1-0 win. Mali are fancied to do well in the competition and face Tunisia up next over the weekend.
Next up: Mali vs Tunisia | Saturday 20th January, 8pm (GMT)
Justin Hubner | Indonesia 1-3 Iraq
Wolves youngster Hubner, usually a central defender, was deployed as a midfielder in Indonesia’s opening day against Iraq. Indonesia’s Marselino Ferdinand had cancelled out Mohanad Ali’s opener, but Omar Rashid and Aymen Hussein scored either side of half-time to earn Iraq victory. Elsewhere in Group D, Japan beat Vietnam 4-2. It’s Vietnam up next for Indonesia and they’ll look horns on Friday afternoon.
Next up: Indonesia vs Vietnam | Friday 19th January, 2.30pm
Hee Chan Hwang | South Korea 3-1 Bahrain
Hee Chan Hwang missed South Korea’s opening game through injury, but South Korea were able to enjoy a winning start in his absence. The two sides were level near the hour mark, after a goal from Abdullah al-Hashsash cancelled out Hwang In-beom’s opener for South Korea. However, Paris St-Germain’s Lee Kang-in hit a second half brace to earn the three points. The win left South Korea second in Group E, after Jordan hit Malaysia for four. Top face second at the weekend, when Hwang will hope to be fit to feature against Jordan.
Next up: South Korea vs Jordan | Sunday 21st January, 11.30am
