Team

Muheim and Pherai score first international goals

Miro Muheim and Immanuel Pherai were able to end the international break on a high, after both scoring their first goals for their respective countries.

As the international break comes to a close, two Rothosen players were in action at the start of the week still – and both managed to add their names to the scoresheet. Miro Muheim's goal for Switzerland occurred under interesting circumstances, after the defender managed to get a foot in the way of a shot from teammate Ruben Vargas, which then ended up in the back of the net. This would have been Vargas' tenth goal for the Nati, who initially ascribed the goal to the former Augsburg man. However, UEFA awarded the goal to Muheim, giving him his first goal for the side on what was just his second cap in the 3-1 win over Luxembourg in St. Gallen. "I wasn't expecting it at all, as I barely touched the ball. Sorry, Ruben, but it's my goal now," he joked after full time, before delivering a positive summary of his time on international duty. "I tried to deliver my best. Tonight couldn't have gone any better. I hope that I have been able to recommend myself for more games in the future." The goal rounded off a strong performance from the defender, who also provided the assist for Vargas' opening goal earlier in the evening.

Suriname and Pherai qualify for the Gold Cup

Just a few hours later, HSV midfielder Immanuel Pherai also stepped out onto the pitch on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The 23-year-old scored the winning goal as Suriname beat Martinique 1-0 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifier. It was Pherai's first goal for his country on his ninth cap, as he helped secure Suriname a place in the tournament. His goal also caps off a successful international break for the Rothosen, as summarised by head coach Merlin Polzin. "I was very happy that Manu scored yesterday. Miro played extremely well," he said. "It's a great achievement. We're happy that the lads were able to represent their countries. It's massive privilege and it means a lot to the players and their families."