Mitoma goal and Lamptey debut start the international break
A Kaoru Mitoma goal and a Ghana debut for Tariq Lamptey were the Brighton highlights from the first round of September international matches in which eight Albion players represented their countries.
Since his summer arrival, Mitoma has been restricted to just substitute appearances in the Premier League – a competition Brighton are expected to finish eighth based on odds from the sports betting world.
Each cameo Mitoma has made from the bench has been exciting, leading a clamour from Brighton supporters for him to be given a chance in the starting XI.
Graham Potter was not yet ready to listen to those claims. If Mitoma was aiming to use the international break to put himself firmly in the mind of new Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi, then things could not have gone much better than they did in Dusseldorf.
Mitoma rounded off a 2-0 friendly win for Japan over the United States with a goal which highlighted his pace, directness and finishing ability.
Picking the ball up on the left flank some 35 yards out from goal, Mitoma cut inside and sauntered past two men on a direct route to goal.
Once just outside the USA area, he fired into the bottom corner with unerring accuracy. It was Mitoma’s fifth goal from eight games for the Samurai Blue.
Kaoru Mitoma has just scored for Japan against the USA in a friendly. 👇 #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1B5qYjYT55
— Seagulls Central (@SeagullsCentral) September 23, 2022
Brighton fans will be hoping to see more of Mitoma under De Zerbi. Lamptey too will be hoping to force his way into the starting XI having been displaced in the right wing back pecking order by Solly March.
Lamptey was even further down the selection list for England, bursting onto the scene at a time when the Three Lions are absolutely spoilt for choice at right back.
Having made two England Under 21 appearances, Lamptey has now switched his allegiance to Ghana who he qualifies to play for through his parents.
His debut for the Black Stars came against Brazil, not bad opponents to make your international bow against. Ghana were unable to cause an upset, conceding three first half goals on their way to a 3-0 defeat.
Lamptey can at least take solace in the fact that it was 0-0 with him on the pitch. He replaced Denis Odoi for the final 18 minutes, by which time brace scorer Richarlison and striker partner Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid had both departed.
Ecuador will be many Brighton fans’ second team at the World Cup in Qatar thanks to their ensemble of three Albion players. They have even been tipped in some quarters to be potential dark horses for the tournament.
If they are to impress, then they will need to do better than drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. Both Moises Caicedo and Pervis Estupinan played the full 90.
Jeremy Sarmiento did not make the bench, which the Albion would probably be quite happy about seeing as he is only just returning after another injury setback.
For those who do intend on supporting Ecuador this winter, then there will be a certain sense of familiarity compared with watching the Albion.
Ecuador had 60 percent possession, 11 shots of which six were on target. To draw 0-0 with those numbers is impressive and very similar to The Kings of Premier League xG, Brighton.
Julio Enciso played 78 minutes for Paraguay in their 1-0 win over the United Arab Emirates. It was a lively performance from the teenager, who came close to scoring twice in the first half.
UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eissa pulled off a fine double save to deny Miguel Almiron and then Enciso’s follow up. Enciso then found himself one-on-one with Eissa five minutes before the break, only for Eissa to make another strong stop.
Paraguay’s winner came in the final five minutes after Enciso had been withdrawn. Fabian Balbuena was left completely free by the UAE defence to head home a corner for the only goal of the game.
The Albion’s final South American representative was Alexis Mac Allister, who may well end the World Cup with a winners medal.
Argentina are the form team in international football at the momen. They made it 34 games without defeat by brushing aside Honduras 3-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring, after which it became the Lionel Messi show. The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored twice in 20 minutes either side of half time.
It was already 3-0 by the time Mac Allister entered proceedings as a 72nd minute substitute for Rodrigo De Paul. That Argentina can leave a player in such good form as Mac Allister right now on the bench is a sign of how deep their squad is going into Qatar.
With such a strong Latin American flavour at the Amex currently, it is easy to forget that Brighton have several European internationals who were in Nations League action.
Leandro Trossard replaced Eden Hazard for the final 25 minutes as Belgium beat Wales 2-1 in Brussels.
Kevin De Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi scored for the Red Devils after De Bruyne had said in the buildup to the game that he was “bored” of facing Wales. This was the ninth meeting in 10 years between the nations and the fourth in the past 18 months.
Billy Gilmour did not feature for Scotland in their 3-0 win over Ukraine or their 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland. Robert Sanchez was an unused substitute as Spain lost 2-1 against Switzerland.
