International round-up

It’s been a busy month for our internationals once again with a grand total of eight players/staff jetting off to represent their respective nations during the two-week international break. Guyana, Tanzania, Montserrat, Sri Lanka, Gibraltar, Malta U17s and England C all had a Stones player included in their squads this time around.

Fresh off the back his AFCON 2024 appearances, Tarryn Allarakhia was once again called up to the Tanzanian squad for their international friendlies against Bulgaria and Mongolia. Tarryn started the match against Bulgaria, in which they were defeated 1-0, and featured for 61 minutes, earning his third cap for his country. The Stones winger was then an unused substitute in the Taifa Stars 3-0 win against Mongolia.

A mainstay in the Guyana National team set-up, Stones first team coach Sam Cox was once again called upon by his country where he is player/assistant manager as they travelled to Saudi Arabia to play in the inaugural FIFA Series. This time, he was joined by Nathan Ferguson, who was joining up with the Golden Jaguars for the first time in his career.

The first outing saw Guyana beaten 1-0 by a strong Cape Verde side, thanks to an early goal in the second minute of the game. Looking to bounce back from their defeat, the Golden Jaguars faced Cambodia next and blew them aside, winning 4-1. Ferguson was the only one of the pair to feature, earning his first cap by playing 70 minutes in the win over Cambodia.

Like the aforementioned players, Dillon De Silva was another Stones player featuring in the

FIFA Series for his nation Sri Lanka, one of the host countries. The 21-year-old started the game against Papua New Guinea as they drew 0-0 to kick-off their campaign. Next up for the Golden Army was Bhutan, in which De Silva once again started the match, this time scoring the opening goal in the 46th minute as his side went on to win 2-0.

For the first time in his career, young Stones forward Jaiden Bartolo was called up to the Gibraltar senior squad to feature in their UEFA Nations League, relegation play-offs. The 18-year-old was an unused substitute in the first-leg of their two-legged game against Lithuania, in which they were defeated 1-0.

But Bartolo came off the bench to make his full senior debut in the second-leg, another narrow 1-0 defeat away from home. Congratulations to Jaiden on what is a huge achievement at such a young age.

Record appearance holder for Montserrat, Alex Dyer was once again called up to represent the Emerald Boys, this time for a training camp over in Spain, whilst Stones academy player, and younger brother of Jaiden, Kai Bartolo was called up to the Malta U17 squad for the first time, making his debut in a 0-0 draw with Switzerland U17s.

And Jaydn Mundle-Smith was included in the England C contingency squad for their game against Wales C, which they lost 1-0. He remained at the club during this period playing against Bromley, Kidderminster Harriers and Altrincham, however the call up to the contingency squad is testament to the impeccable form displayed by the Stones defender throughout the course of this season.

All at the club are extremely proud of our players representing their nations on the biggest of stages, and we’re delighted for them to return to the squad for the remaining eight National League games.