14 Hertha players called up for international duty

The second international break of the season follows an eventful September. Now though, the focus for some Herthaners becomes qualifying for the World Cup. 

Berlin – three midweek fixtures meant seven games in three weeks for Hertha BSC, culminating in the match against Bayern on Sunday (October 1st). The international break comes at the perfect time for some respite after the busy September schedule, although there’s no rest for the 14 squad members who will be away with their respective national teams on and around the first weekend of October, most of whom will be fighting for qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Plattenhardt back

Joachim Löw has selected Marvin Plattenhardt for the Germany squad for the first time since the Confed Cup win in the summer. “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to prove myself again,” said the 25-year-old, who was informed personally by the national coach. Hertha’s left back will be with the rest of the Germany team in Northern Ireland on October 5th. A draw or win will be enough for the world champions to book their ticket to the World Cup as winners of group C. Germany go into their final two qualifiers ahead of second-placed Northern Ireland (19 points) with eight wins from eight games. Löw’s men will then play their final qualification match against Azerbaijan in Kaiserslautern, Germany on October 8th.

Two other Hertha players will also be competing in group C, but not for Germany. Rune Jarstein and Norway face San Marino on October 5th and then Northern Ireland on October 8th, while Vladimir Darida and the rest of the Czech Republic side come up against Azerbaijan on October 5th and San Marino on October 8th.

Crunch time

Slovakians Peter Pekarik and Ondrej Duda face two decisive games for their country. A three-way battle is heating up behind England (20 points) in group F for the runners-up spot between Slovakia (15), Slovenia (14) and Scotland (14). The second-placed team will go through to the playoffs. Both the Berliners will want to defend their country’s position with a crucial game against Scotland on October 5th before the final match against Malta on October 8th. Vedad Ibisevic is also targeting the playoffs with his native Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are in a good position before the showdowns with the already-qualified Belgium on October 7th and Estonia on October 10th. Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently second in their group with 14 points, one point ahead of Greece and ex-Hertha head coach Michael Skibbe.

Leckie in play-off duel

Mathew Leckie and Austria missed out on direct qualification in the last international break. The Socceroos are in position three in their group and so must play Syria over two legs to ensure a place in Russia. Were they to win this battle, Australia would then come up against a team from Central or North America. Australia find themselves in this position because they finished second behind Genki Haraguchi’s Japan in their qualifying group.

Japan have already qualified for Russia 2018 and face New Zealand and Haiti in two preparatory friendlies. In the African qualifying groups, Salomon Kalou and Ivory Coast play Mali in their penultimate group game. A win would be a big step in the Elephants’ bid to reach their World Cup ticket in a group from which only the top side qualify ahead of Morocco and Gabon who are one and two points behind respectively.

Herthaner playing at youth level

Hertha also have national representation on the youth level. Florian Baak and Arne Maier for Germany U19s will take part in the European Cup qualifiers. Germany have games against Belarus, Northern Ireland and Poland in seven days and must finish no lower than second in order to qualify for the tournament in Finland. Jordan Torunarigha, meanwhile, is in the German U20 squad who have friendlies against the Netherlands and Switzerland.