Sean St. Ledger and Andy King were in action for the Republic of Ireland and Wales respectively, ahead of re-joining the Foxes squad for this weekend’s npower Championship resumption.
St. Ledger was in the starting eleven for the Republic of Ireland as they eased to a 4-1 win over Oman in a friendly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. The City centre-back completed his second 90 minutes for his country in four days in winning his 32nd cap, providing an experienced hand in an otherwise-experimental Irish side.
Goals from West Bromwich Albion’s Shane Long, Manchester United’s Robbie Brady, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Kevin Doyle and Reading’s Alex Pearce led Giovanni Trapattoni’s side to victory.
The Boys in Green host Germany in their next 2014 World Cup qualifier next month, before travelling to Torshavn to face the Faroe Islands.
It was a less memorable night for Andy King’s Wales, whose hopes of reaching the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil suffered a setback against Serbia in Novi Sad.
With King among the substitutes, Wales got off to a poor start and were two behind after 24 minutes courtesy of goals for the hosts from Aleksandar Kolarov and Zoran Tosic. Gareth Bale pulled one back, but further strikes from Filip Djuricic and Dusan Tadic either side of half-time extended Serbia’s lead.
The hosts were out of sight by the time King was introduced on 72 minutes and late goals from Branislav Ivanovic and Miralem Sulejmani rounded off Wales’ 6-1 defeat.
Coleman’s side now face a crucial double-header in October which could define their qualification campaign, with Scotland the visitors to the Cardiff City Stadium before a trip to Osijek to face Croatia.