Two Leeds United players were in action on Tuesday night as the September international break drew to a close and for both of them, it proved to be a desperately disappointing night.
It has already been a poor break for Ilia Gruev. A player at the centre of a ‘serious scandal’, Gruev has been the talk of Bulgarian football after an angry changing-room argument with manager Ilian Iliev.
Joe Rodon will have been disappointed to pull out of Wales’ fixtures, as the defender observes protocol for concussion. Dan James and Karl Darlow helped Wales beat Kazakhstan, alongside Harry Wilson.
Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jaka Bijol played out a 2-2 draw last week as Slovenia faced Sweden. But on Monday night, both Gudmundsson and Bijol could do nothing but prevent their nations from defeat.
Mateo Joseph’s Mallorca pal beats Gudmundsson’s Sweden
While Bijol’s Slovenia were always expected to lose to Switzerland away, Sweden were always favourites to beat Kosovo. The two nations have only played each other three times, with Sweden winning three.
But despite the presence of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga and Gudmundsson, The Swedes came unstuck against a Kosovo side that includes Mallorca journeyman Vedat Muriqi up front.
With Cyle Larin leaving Mallorca to join Feyenoord, Muriqi and Mateo Joseph are the new-look pair up front for Mallorca. But on Monday night, Muriqi scored his 32nd goal for Kosovo in a shock 2-0 victory.
Sweden’s World Cup hopes in danger as Gudmundsson lasts 90
Going into the break, Gudmundsson was actually considered a doubt. He had come off early against Newcastle, but for club and country, Gudmundsson has now played more than any other Leeds player.
Three Premier League starts, finishing two and almost another, while two 90-minute displays for his country. Sweden’s defeat however, leaves them third in Group B qualifying with four games left to play.
| Position | Games | Wins | Draws | Losses | GD | Points |
| 1. Switzerland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 6 |
| 2. Kosovo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 3 |
| 3. Sweden | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
| 4. Slovenia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3 | 1 |
Gudmundsson should be fine to play against Fulham on Sunday and Leeds fans will be hoping so, with many of the opinion Gudmundsson has been one of Leeds’ best this season. Five days to rest up.
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