A host of West Ham United players were in action for their countries over the weekend.
Modibo Maiga was on target once again for Mali as they secured their safe passage to the Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 4-1 win in Botswana on Saturday - 7-1 on aggregate. Chieck Diabete opened the scoring before Maiga effectively ended the tie as a contest with the second goal in the 57th minute..
Two more goals from the visitors made it 4-0 before Botswana pulled a consolation back at the death. Maiga's goal means he has now scored on of his last four starts for club and country, after registering in the first leg in Mali and in both Capital One Cup matches he started for West Ham United this season.
There was drama in the other game involving West Ham United players on Saturday, as the Ivory Coast's match in Senegal was abandoned after crowd trouble. Momo Diame had started the game for Senegal, with Guy Demel an unused sustitute for the visitors.
Ivory Coast were leading 2-0 on the night and 6-2 on aggregate when the match was stopped around the 73rd minute at the Stade Leopold Senghor. Dider Drogba had given his side the lead in the 51st minute with a free-kick, before making it 2-0 from the penalty spot shorlty after.
Following the second goal there were disturbances in the stands, with small fires being set alight and objects reportedly being thrown as players and staff from both teams grouped together in the centre circle. Although it is yet to be confirmed, the result is likely to stand, meaning Demel could be going to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, while Diame looks set to miss out.
Andy Carroll continued his comeback from injury, coming on as a second-half substitute in England's 5-0 win against San Marino at Wembley on Friday night.The Three Lions were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 1-1 draw with Ukraine and they did just that as captain Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck both scored twice before Carroll was introduced. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added a fifth late on. England next play in Poland on Tuesday night.
Mohamed Diame and Guy Demel are set to face-off in Dakar on Saturday 13 October when Senegal host the Ivory Coast. Demel's Ivorians hold a 4-2 advantage going into the vital CAN 2013 qualifier second leg so Diame's side have it all to do.
Winston Reid has landed in New Zealand after recovering from the back spasms he suffered against Arsenal. The All-White international will miss Saturday's game in Tahiti but will be in contention for Tuesday's re-match in Christchurch.
A few West Ham United youngsters have already been in action with Kieran Sadlier featuring in the pick of the games. The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international started in his side's 5-2 win over Luxembourg.
The forward was unable to get on the scoresheet but proved to be a great foil for Aston Villa's Mikey Drennan, who bagged a hat-trick. Ireland now have two more games in their UEFA Under-19 qualifying mini-group - against Macedonia on Saturday and Germany on Tuesday.
Raphael Spiegel's Switzerland Under-20 side were also in action, securing a 2-2 friendly draw against Poland.