Memorable full international debut for West Brom man as duo amid controversy

Albion captain George Campbell enjoyed a winning first start for United States of America on Saturday night.

The Hawthorns skipper was selected from the off by boss Mauricio Pochettino for just his second cap and America powered to a 4-1 victory over Peru in Orlando.

Campbell’s international debut, some 18 months ago, was just a handful of minutes in a friendly prior to moving to England at club level.

The friendly victory over South American visitors Peru marked the start of a new wave of talent, including Campbell, 25, for the USMNT. The Albion man is just the third American to be named club captain of an English club, and the youngest to do so.

Eleven players made their debut for the States, with a start for 16-year-old Philadelphia starlet Cavan Sullivan. Baggies centre-back Campbell played 87 minutes for Pochettino’s bright young side, where a late flurry sealed the big win.

Justin Ellis scored early before goals inside the final half hour from Malik Tillman, Julian Hall and Middlesbrough’s Sebastian Berhalter sealed the win. USA are next in action in the early hours of Wednesday against Chile, with a further two friendlies to come.

Elsewhere, Albion star Isaac Price played the entire match as Northern Ireland enjoyed a winning start to their Nations League group F away in Georgia.

Price’s side left it late but Fulham’s Shea Charles struck a 99th-minute winner against a talented Georgian side to seal three points.

Michael O’Neill’s side host Hungary in Belfast on Monday evening where Price will not come up against Hawthorns team-mate Callum Styles, as the left-back withdrew from international action owing to a minor knock.

The Republic of Ireland’s controversial Nations League group G clash away to Israel will go ahead on Sunday evening, meanwhile, after turmoil in the build-up.

Albion midfielder Jayson Molumby and goalkeeper Max O’Leary are in the Irish squad for the clash, which has hit global headlines due to a reported reluctance from some players to play.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who plays for Bolton, pulled out of the squad for the fixture owing to Israel’s military conflict in Gaza and in solidarity with Palestine.

It was reported over the weekend that team-mates were in talks to do likewise, with training delayed on Saturday as crisis meetings took place, before Ireland chief executive David Courell confirmed the fixture will go ahead after a ‘significant majority’ voted in its favour.

Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side opened up with a 1-0 defeat in Kosovo last Thursday in which Molumby played 90 minutes and O’Leary was an unused sub. The latter is now one of just two keepers in the ranks, with Caoimhin Kelleher, after Bazunu’s boycott.

Defender Chris Mepham played the final 20 minutes as Wales fell to a 1-0 defeat in Portugal on Thursday in group D, and Craig Bellamy’s side are back in action on Sunday afternoon against Denmark in Copenhagen (5pm).

Albion star Ousmane Diakite was an unused substitute as Mali started their African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with an impressive victory.

Mali saw off World Cup heroes Cabo Verde 3-1 at home, but there was no second cap for Diakite. He has the chance to earn a call in Tuesday night’s contest away to Liberia.

Tammer Bany’s Jordan are in friendly action against Syria on Sunday evening (6pm) where the forgotten Hawthorns man can win a second cap.

Albion frontman Barney Stewart is pushing to be involved for Scotland under-21s when they continue Euro under-21 qualifying action at home to Azerbaijan on Wednesday night. The young Scots are fourth in the group of six and head to Bulgaria for the next clash on Tuesday week.