International Imps: Agony As Ukraine Qualification Hopes Hang By a Thread

There are four Lincoln City players on international duty this weekend.

It was initially reported that we had five players on duty, Reeco Hackett seemingly called up by St Lucia, but that appears not to have happened. He’s not the only St Lucia player to have been reportedly called up, but not joined the squad: Bolton’s Chris Forino is another. If I can get clarity on that over the next few days, I will.

The absence of two of the country’s better players didn’t help their cause, as Azerbaijan put six past them, with only a 52nd-minute penalty in reply. St Lucia would have gone on to face either Oman or Sierra Leone, but their interest in the FIFA 2026 series now ends due to the former pulling out of the tournament.

Kamil Conteh will now be hoping for involvement as his nation, Sierra Leone, wait for the victorious Azerbaijan side tomorrow.

Ivan Varfolomeev was called up by his country, with Ukraine looking for a win against Lithuania Under 21s to push Croatia and Turkey at the top of their qualifying group. Our boy played the full 90 minutes of their game in Košice, Slovakia, but was unable to help his side to victory. They led on the hour mark, but were pegged back on 70 minutes and held to a draw.

That means with three matches remaining, they’re third in the group, five points behind Croatia and six behind Turkey, who play each other on Tuesday. They still have those two to play, but the gap is looking significant, and only a win in Hungary on Tuesday will see their hopes intact.

Scotland dropped points in their quest to reel in Portugal in Group B, drawing 0-0 with Czechia, who are level on points with Scot Gemmill’s side, and have a game in hand. Ryan Oné, the Sheffield United striker on loan with the Imps, came on at half-time as his side chased a goal, but was unable to get a shot away in a tough second period.

Finally, Oisin Gallagher did not feature in the Ireland squad as they were held 1-1 by Moldova. The midfielder, currently on loan at Boston United, has been impressing in senior football, but has the likes of David Okagbue (Peterborough), Conor McManus (Brentford) and Jacob Devaney (Man Utd) ahead of him. He is in with a shout of making the squad for their game against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.