Oxford united FC
Five Oxford United stars defeated in World Cup play-offs
The Welsh national team suffered a 4-2 penalty-shoutout loss against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off semi-final after drawing 1-1 in regular time.
U’s striker Mark Harris came on in the 75th minute and scored one of his country’s two successful spot kicks in the shootout.
The 27-year-old came close to scoring with one of the last kicks of extra time but could not find contact with the ball from very close range.
Wales’ Daniel James celebrates scoring their side’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Play-off Semi-final match at the Cardiff City Stadium (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
Leeds United winger Daniel James scored for Wales in regular time with a sweet strike from range before veteran and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko levelled the scores.
Oxford’s four Northern Ireland internationals had their dreams of playing at a World Cup ended by Italy in a 2-0 loss earlier in the evening.
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The Green and White Army suffered defeat in Bergamo in their World Cup play-off semi-final clash with the Azzurri.
Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the second half before former Everton striker Moise Kean put the game to bed with 10 minutes to go.
Tempers flare between Northern Ireland’s Jamie Donley and Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
U’s players Brodie Spencer and Jamie Donley started the game whilst Ciaron Brown and Jamie McDonnell were unused substitutes on the night.
Spencer performed well at left wing back for Northern Ireland, receiving plaudits from the BBC commentators for his adaptability and praise on social media for his display on the international stage.
The two sides could have played each other in the play-off final but will now face each other next week in a match for third place.
Oxford return to action on Good Friday when they welcome Hull City to the Kassam Stadium after the final international break of the season.
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Oxfordshire youngster ‘honoured’ by England youth call-up
Violet Parsons of Bicester is the only Oxfordshire-based player to be included in either the England Under 15 Schoolgirls Team or the Under 18 Schoolboys Team, both of which were announced on March 25.
The 14-year-old plays for Oxford United Academy and said her dream is to play professional football in the Women’s Super League and be called up to the senior England squad, known as the Lionesses.
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The left wing-back said: “It is an honour to be selected for the England Schoolgirls Under 15s, and something I’ve only dreamed of since I started playing at the age of nine.
“My ultimate ambition is to represent my country in the World Cup, and progress to play professional football in the WSL.”
Violet Parsons of Bicester has been called up to an England youth side (Image: Natalie Parsons)
From an initial shortlist of 80, there were 18 girls picked to be part of the U15 squad, with the new squad’s first match to be against Wales on May 23.
This will be at Cirencester Town FC.
A number of Lionesses have played for the England U15 Schoolgirls Team, with Poppy Pattinson most recently making the step up.
READ MORE: Junior football team launches equipment fundraiser for grass season
The 25-year-old was in the squad in 2015 and made her debut for the senior team against Ukraine on March 3, having impressed for London City Lionesses and Brighton & Hove Albion before that.
Set up in 1904, the English Schools’ Football Association is the national governing body for schools’ football in England and has also run international squads since 1907.
The association provides over one million footballing opportunities for school pupils in England, each year.
Oxford united FC
Oxford United stars in contention for Hull City after break
Six U’s players went away with their countries, with three – Jamie Donley, Ciaron Brown, and Brodie Spencer – featuring on Tuesday evening for Northern Ireland as they drew 1-1 with Wales.
Midfielder Donley scored his nation’s only goal in that game as Northern Ireland’s Jamie McDonnell and Wales’ Mark Harris did not feature.
“Because the game was so tight, Tuesday to a Friday, you have to keep both scenarios in your head,” Bloomfield said.
Wales’ Harry Wilson (left) and Northern Ireland’s Ciaron Brown battle for the ball (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
“We’ve been preparing without them for the last couple of weeks and they’ve come back in today, so they’ll come back into consideration.”
The Yellows face fifth-placed Hull on Friday who have enjoyed an impressive season under Bosnian manager Sergej Jakirovic.
“We believe that we can give Hull a really good game,” the U’s boss continued.
“We know we’re up against really good opposition who are trying to get into the play-offs and they’ve had a fantastic season.
Northern Ireland’s Jamie Donley heads to the player’s tunnel at half-time during the (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
“We know we’re up against a very good opposition, but we’ve been doing all right recently and we want that to continue.”
Despite sitting high in the Championship table, Hull have conceded the fourth-most goals in the division (57) with a goal difference of just five.
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Experienced names in Oli McBurnie, John Lundstram, and Paddy McNair lie in the Tigers’ ranks, with the former having bagged 13 goals in the league this season, the joint fourth-highest tied with teammate Joe Gelhardt.
Hull City’s Oliver McBurnie celebrates after scoring (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
“We don’t play opposition like Hull without respecting our opposition. We know that they’re a really good team. You can look at their attacking threats that they’ve got at the top of the pitch and know that they’ve got some really good players.
“We have to be defensively very resolute. They’re really clinical in their work, so we have to be really, really resolute and really aware of that. But we also want to try and excite our home crowd.
“We want to attack the game. We want to win the game. We’ve got to try and score some goals, so we’re going to try and get the balance the best we possibly can.
“But we want our supporters to enjoy watching us as well.
“I’m proud of the group for what they’ve done over the last period of time. And I want them to really attack this last period of games starting tomorrow. Like I say, nothing’s decided tomorrow, but we have an opportunity to go and try and play the best we possibly can.”
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Oxford United boss quiet on Blackburn, O’Neill incident
Oxford United reportedly raised concerns over a conflict of interest regarding the Rovers boss who managed four U’s players for Northern Ireland in the recent international break.
Northern Ireland lost 2-0 to Italy in their World Cup play-off semi-final before drawing 1-1 with Wales in a friendly on Tuesday.
The EFL confirmed it had been contacted by more than one club with concerns over the issue, with relegation rivals West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth also having players appear for the Green and White Army.
Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill before an international friendly match at (Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Ciaron Brown, Jamie Donley, and Brodie Spencer played for Northern Ireland across their two fixtures whilst players who are set to play against Blackburn’s rivals in Hull City’s Paddy McNair, Norwich City’s Ruairi McConville, and Preston North End’s Ali McCann all missed the second game.
With Pompey boss, and former Yellows captain, John Mousinho criticising the situation, Oxford head coach Bloomfield was also questioned.
“I think whenever you have players going away on international duty, you’re hoping that they’re fine and come back in relatively good health. The game on Tuesday was even closer to a good Friday game than it was a usual Saturday.
Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield orders from the touchline (Image: Jason Dawson)
“As regards to anything else, I’d rather not comment.
“Being a football manager is hard enough and I’ve got a big enough job in my hands here, so I should concentrate on that.”
Bloomfield went on to praise Oxford’s internationals, with Mark Harris appearing for Wales against Bosnia & Herzegovina as the Red Dragons lost their World Cup play-off semi-final on penalties after managing a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Ole Romeny also represented Indonesia against St. Kitts & Nevis and Bulgaria, scoring and assisting twice against the former.
Northern Ireland’s Jamie Donley scores their side’s first goal of the game during an (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
“I felt really disappointed for the boys,” Bloomfield said, sympathising with the five U’s men who missed out on World Cup qualification.
“I thought they all did great. Obviously watching the games and paying a real interest into how they’re getting on and watching with pride if I’m honest.
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“I thought Brodie was brilliant. I thought Brodie was absolutely fantastic.
“To go away and play; I’ve never got the honour of doing that and those boys are getting to go and play for their country and I just think it’s an incredible honour for them and I thought they did brilliantly.
“I felt really disappointed for them, but that’s gone now and now they concentrate on their club football.”
On loan Spurs midfielder Donley scored against Wales for Northern Ireland.
“An international goal for a young player is a brilliant moment for him, so let’s hope he takes that into the game on Friday and forward into the last seven for us.”
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