It was a mixed bag for some of the Oxford United players during the latest round of international fixtures.
Some got plenty of minutes under their belt while there was some frustrating bench-warming for a couple.
International Round-Up for Oxford United Players
Debut Delay and Unused Subs
Peter Kioso had to wait to make his DR Congo debut after he was an unused sub in their 1-0 win over Tanzania. The summer signing, who was called up to represent the Leopards, failed to get on in their FIFA World Cup African qualifier on Thursday night.
Greg Leigh and Marselino Ferdinan were also in action on Thursday. Leigh played the full 90 minutes and laid on an assist as Jamaica won 2-0 against Nicaragua while Ferdinan played 33 minutes and picked up a booking in their 2-2 draw in Bahrain.
On Friday, Mark Harris was an unused substitute as Wales blew a two-goal lead in their Nations League draw in Iceland.
Elsewhere on Friday night, Dane Scarlett got a late cameo as England U21s came from behind to score two late goals in their qualification match against Ukraine.
The final game of the first round of matches came in Belarus but Ciaron Brown was an unused substitute in Northern Ireland’s goalless draw.
More Minutes and a Confidence Goal
The following week, Harris was the first in action as he started Wales’ win over Montenegro. The striker was replaced by Kieffer Moore in the 89th minute of their 1-0 win.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Leigh played another 90 as Jamaica played out a goalless draw in their CONCACAF Nations League match against Honduras.
Ferdinand and Kioso began on the bench in their games. The former came on at half time with Indonesia trailing by two goals against China, but his side did pull one back. Meanwhile, Kioso had to wait yet again to make his DR Congo debut as the Leopards scored two late goals to win in Tanzania.
Scarlett began on the bench as England U21s faced off against the Azerbaijani age group. However, the Spurs loanee came onto the field on 60 minutes with the Young Lions three goals up, and added a sixth late on in an emphatic 7-0 victory.
Brown also began on the bench but came on in first half stoppage time. The defender kept a clean sheet as Northern Ireland hit five without reply against Bulgaria in their Nations League fixture.