Heartbreak for Sheffield United men as World Cup dreams snatched away while teammate's rapid rise continues
Heartbreak for Sheffield United men as World Cup dreams snatched away while teammate's rapid rise continues
Andre Brooks, the Sheffield United winger, could only watch on from the bench as his and Jamaica’s World Cup dream came to a heartbreaking end overnight. The Reggae Boyz lost 1-0 to DR Congo in their play-off final, with the victors becoming the 47th team to book their spot at this summer’s tournament.
Victory in this game would have capped a memorable individual season for Brooks, even if United’s campaign looks like petering out into a mid-table finish despite initial relegation fears and subsequent hopes of a late play-off charge.
He earned a call-up to Jamaica through his ancestry and made his international debut last week, playing the first 45 minutes in a 1-0 win over New Caledonia which set up the winner-takes-all clash with Congo.
But Brooks was an unused substitute as Axel Tuanzebe, the former Manchester United man who was heavily linked with a move to the Blades a few years ago under Paul Heckingbottom, struck in extra time to send his country to their second World Cup.
Heartbreak for Sheffield United men as World Cup dreams snatched away while teammate's rapid rise continues
Brooks was 90 minutes away from potentially coming up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in Group K of this summer’s tournament but will now have to channel that disappointment into a strong finish to his club season, which has seen him score six times so far and secure his place on the right wing.
There was also World Cup heartbreak for another Blade over the break, with Chieo Ogbene’s Republic of Ireland defeated on penalties by the Czech Republic in their play-off semi-final last week. Ogbene made way six minutes into extra-time and was praised for his display, following it up with 84 minutes in a goalless draw with North Macedonia yesterday.
But two current Blades are on course to play in the World Cup this summer, in Tahith Chong and loanee Tyler Bindon. Chong played a part in both Curacao’s defeats over the current international break as they warmed up for their first tournament by losing to China and Australia.
Bindon will report back to Shirecliffe this week ahead of Friday’s clash with Swansea City at Bramall Lane on the back of New Zealand’s 2-0 defeat to Finland on Friday, and a 4-1 hammering of Chile - including former United loan man Ben Brereton Diaz - on Monday.
Elsewhere Sydie Peck came on for the final 15 minutes of England U21s’ 4-1 victory over Moldova at Carrow Road yesterday, having played 71 minutes alongside Jobe Bellingham in last week’s 1-1 draw with Andorra.
Fellow youngster Ryan One gained some more international experience with two appearances for Scotland’s U21s, in their 3-0 defeat to Portugal and a goalless draw with the Czech Republic.
All bar One - on course for promotion to the Championship on loan at Lincoln City - will now be assessed by United’s staff after reporting back ahead of Friday’s Championship return at Bramall Lane.
Speaking before the break, Blades boss Chris Wilder said of Peck: “I think it would be interesting to see how many minutes he plays in that and what he's thought of at an international level. He's played his minutes, he's played his games.
“If England are talked about as one of the top eight teams in the world, going into the World Cup, I think our academy levels and our under-21s are underpinning all the players that are going through into the senior squad.
“And that shows you what they think about Sydie, what they've thought about Ollie Arblaster up until his injury, going right away through the system and playing. I'm a supporter of the boys going away and playing for their countries.
“So, hopefully they go and enjoy it, and come back fit and healthy for the last seven games of the season.”