COLCHESTER United pair Tyreik Wright and Armando Dobra experienced contrasting fortunes on the international front.

Wright, who is on loan at the U's from Premier League side Aston Villa, netted in Republic of Ireland under-21s' 2023 UEFA Under-21 European Championships 2-0 qualifying win against Sweden.

The 20-year-old, who has made nine appearances for the U's to date since joining them in the January transfer window, came on as a 64th-minute substitute for Ollie O’Neill at the Borås Arena in Borås.

 

And the young winger's goal two minutes from time helped secure a superb 2-0 victory for the young Boys in Green.

Ross Tierney had earlier given Jim Crawford’s side the lead, in Sweden.

Republic of Ireland under-21s are next in action when they host Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 3) and Montenegro (June 6) before an away trip to Italy (June 14).

Gazette:

There was disappointment for Dobra (pictured above) though, who was on the losing side when Albania under-21s were beaten 3-0 at home to England, in Elbasan.

Dobra played the full 90 minute minutes for his country, in the European Under-21 Championship qualifier.

The 20-year-old, who is on loan at Colchester from Ipswich Town, was unable to prevent his side from suffering defeat to a Young Lions side who scored three times in the space of 14 second-half minutes.

Two goals from Folarin Balogun, who is on loan at Middlesbrough from Arsenal, along with another from Liverpool's Curtis Jones, secured England victory.

Dobra, who has not played for the U's in the league since New Year's Day, played in a central attacking role for his country.

The result leaves Albania fourth in qualifying Group G after eight games, while England are second.

Only the top side qualifies automatically for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Romania and Georgia next summer.

Gazette:

Meanwhile, Colchester defender Tommy Smith (pictured above) will be hoping to help New Zealand edge closer to a place at the Qatar World Cup tonight.

The All Whites take on Solomon Islands (6pm kick-off BST) at the Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in their Oceania World Cup qualifying final.

The winners will be rewarded with a place at June's intercontinental play-off, where they will face the fourth-placed team from North and Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf).