13 Hertha players on international duty

Bundesliga stadiums have gone quiet once again for two weeks as those representing their countries travel back to their homeland to help their national sides attempt to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

Berlin – Hertha players Vladimir Darida and Rune Jarstein face tough tasks in their attempts to reach Russia next summer, with both gearing up to face Germany this weekend. Czech Republic host the Confed Cup champions – who did not call up Marvin Plattenhardt this time around - on Friday, before Darida and co. travel to Northern Ireland for a crucial game against second-placed Northern Ireland. The 1996 Euro runners-up can ill afford to drop points in Belfast, as they already trail their hosts by four points going into this weekend’s matches.

The outlook is even bleaker for Norway, who have only picked up four points in the group so far. “it’s almost impossible for us to qualify now but we are still looking to give everything in the remaining games,” he said. Two wins are essential to give the Norwegians even a glimmer of hope. Friday’s fixture with Azerbaijan will be followed up by a meeting with Germany on Monday.

Rekik returns

It’s been nearly three years since Karim Rekik last played for the Netherlands, but he can now celebrate his return to the national set up. “It’s an honour to be back, it’s been a while since I had this opportunity.” Rekik will travel to play France this Thursday, before taking on Bulgaria in his homeland on Sunday. The Netherlands currently sit third in the group on ten points, three behind Sweden and France.

Richtungsweisende Partien

Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda will play for Slovakia against Slovenia and England in Group F. Both Hertha players sit second in the group after six games and are in line to make the play-offs, one point ahead of Slovenia. Hertha captain Vedad Ibisevic will take on Cyprus and Gibraltar with Bosnia-Herzegovenia in group H. Ibisevic’s nation are third in the group as it stands with 11 points, behind Greece with 12 and Belgium with 16.

Leckie and Haraguchi to face off.

In the third Asian qualifying round the time has come for the penultimate and final round of group games and Mathew Leckie and Genki Haraguchi are set to face off directly as Australia play Japan on Thursday. However, the game will not decide who qualifies outright as Saudi Arabia are also in the mix, one point behind Japan and level with Australia on 16 points so far. Japan will play Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, while Australia play Thailand. The top teams from the group will book their tickets to Russia, while the third placed teams will face a two-legged play-off. Salomon Kalou is also likely to get a run out for the Ivory Coast in their two games with Gabon. The “Elephants” currently top the group with four points from two games ahead od Gabon (2 points), Morocco (2) and Mali (1).

Hertha youngsters in DFB junior sides

Jordan Torunarigha will play for the under-20s in a friendly with SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the Czech Republic, with a second game planned for September 4th. Florian Baak, Palko Dardai and Arne Maier have all been called up for the under-19s, with Julius Kade a reserve. Meikel Schönweitz’s team will play Switzerland on Thursday before facing England on the 5th.

Berlin – Hertha players Vladimir Darida and Rune Jarstein face tough tasks in their attempts to reach Russia next summer, with both gearing up to face Germany this weekend. Czech Republic host the Confed Cup champions – who did not call up Marvin Plattenhardt this time around - on Friday, before Darida and co. travel to Northern Ireland for a crucial game against second-placed Northern Ireland. The 1996 Euro runners-up can ill afford to drop points in Belfast, as they already trail their hosts by four points going into this weekend’s matches.

The outlook is even bleaker for Norway, who have only picked up four points in the group so far. “it’s almost impossible for us to qualify now but we are still looking to give everything in the remaining games,” he said. Two wins are essential to give the Norwegians even a glimmer of hope. Friday’s fixture with Azerbaijan will be followed up by a meeting with Germany on Monday.

Rekik returns

It’s been nearly three years since Karim Rekik last played for the Netherlands, but he can now celebrate his return to the national set up. “It’s an honour to be back, it’s been a while since I had this opportunity.” Rekik will travel to play France this Thursday, before taking on Bulgaria in his homeland on Sunday. The Netherlands currently sit third in the group on ten points, three behind Sweden and France.

Defining games

Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda will play for Slovakia against Slovenia and England in Group F. Both Hertha players sit second in the group after six games and are in line to make the play-offs, one point ahead of Slovenia. Hertha captain Vedad Ibisevic will take on Cyprus and Gibraltar with Bosnia-Herzegovenia in group H. Ibisevic’s nation are third in the group as it stands with 11 points, behind Greece with 12 and Belgium with 16.

Leckie and Haraguchi to face off.

In the third Asian qualifying round the time has come for the penultimate and final round of group games and Mathew Leckie and Genki Haraguchi are set to face off directly as Australia play Japan on Thursday. However, the game will not decide who qualifies outright as Saudi Arabia are also in the mix, one point behind Japan and level with Australia on 16 points so far. Japan will play Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, while Australia play Thailand. The top teams from the group will book their tickets to Russia, while the third placed teams will face a two-legged play-off. Salomon Kalou is also likely to get a run out for the Ivory Coast in their two games with Gabon. The “Elephants” currently top the group with four points from two games ahead od Gabon (2 points), Morocco (2) and Mali (1).

Hertha youngsters in DFB junior sides

Jordan Torunarigha will play for the under-20s in a friendly with SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the Czech Republic, with a second game planned for September 4th. Florian Baak, Palko Dardai and Arne Maier have all been called up for the under-19s, with Julius Kade a reserve. Meikel Schönweitz’s team will play Switzerland on Thursday before facing England on the 5th.