Academy Internationals: Walker-Smith nets for Wales, Casey bags assist for England, and King starts

Academy

15 Oct 2025

Five Crystal Palace Academy players were in action over the October international break, including Benji Casey and George King, who both earned debuts on their maiden call-ups to their respective nations, England Under-18s and the Republic of Ireland Under-19s – find out how they all performed below!

Palace U18s defender Charlie Walker-Smith found the net for the first time as Wales U19s secured a convincing 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in Marbella on Saturday.

After Mannie Barton gave Cymru the lead from the penalty spot on 36 minutes, Walker-Smith doubled the advantage midway through the second half with a composed finish to seal the win.

The appearance followed the 18-year-old's substitute outing in Wales’ 5-2 defeat to Switzerland earlier in the week, when he replaced Thomas Benjamin-Phillips on the hour mark.

Walker-Smith also completed 90 minutes in Wales’ final fixture of the Marbella camp – a heavy defeat to England – continuing to gain valuable international experience, having already featured prominently for Palace’s U18 and U21 sides this season.

Known for his composure and ability to drive play forward from defence, he has impressed across multiple age groups in 2025/26.

Last month, the young defender was part of Wales’ UEFA U19 preparatory tournament, starting in a 2-2 draw with Austria as the squad builds towards next summer’s UEFA U19 European Championship, which Wales will co-host.

Now up to 23 youth international caps, Walker-Smith remains an integral figure in Craig Knight’s squad as preparations continue for the tournament on home soil.

George King marked a proud milestone in his career by earning his first start for the Republic of Ireland U19s in a gritty 2-2 friendly draw against Albania in Durrës on Sunday morning.

King, a versatile defender who can also operate as a deep-lying midfielder, featured for 19 minutes before being substituted for Alife Lynskey.

This appearance came just days after his debut on Friday, when he came off the bench to replace Manchester United’s Jay McEvoy in midfield, a proud moment for the Young Eagles starlet.

The game was tightly contested throughout. Ireland took the lead shortly after halftime thanks to Daniel Mare’s finish, set up by captain Ike Orazi’s trademark trivela cross that forced a 'keeper’s save.

Albania fought back fiercely, with Bjorni Duka and Xheto Joi Nuredini scoring in the 62nd and 70th minutes to turn the tide.

But Ireland responded in style – Orazi delivered a pinpoint cross to substitute Pijus Otegbayo, whose powerful header levelled the score and left the Albanian keeper helpless.

In the earlier friendly on Friday, Albania struck first through their captain Huqi Mattia, but Ireland equalised late via Waterford loanee and Fleetwood Town forward Zak O’Sullivan.

Just as momentum swung Ireland’s way, Albania were awarded a late penalty, which Nuredini confidently converted to seal the 2-1 win for the hosts.

Despite the tough opposition and tight results, King’s introduction and subsequent start highlight his rising profile on the international stage as a promising young Eagles talent.

Palace Academy striker Benji Casey played a pivotal role in England U18s' thrilling 2-2 draw against France on Sunday at St. George’s Park, as the Young Lions fought back from two goals down.

Introduced at half-time, Casey replaced Lyon’s Alejandro Rodriguez in the No. 9 role and made an instant impact – providing a smart cut-back assist for Reigan Heskey’s equaliser after Igor Tyjon had pulled one back earlier in the half.

The match was part of England’s ongoing preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar next month, following a strong run of results in September against Uzbekistan, Morocco, and Canada.

The comeback followed Casey’s England U18 debut just days earlier, when he came off the bench in a 1-0 win over France on Thursday (9th October).

Replacing Chizaram Ezenwata in the 63rd minute, he helped maintain attacking pressure before Elijah Upson’s stoppage-time header sealed victory.

Both fixtures formed an important part of head coach Neil Ryan’s squad development, as England continue to build momentum heading into the World Cup – with Casey quickly establishing himself within the set-up.

Fresh off his senior debut for Palace, Rio Cardines continues to make strides on the international stage with Trinidad and Tobago. The full-back was called up once again to the Men’s Senior National Team for the decisive phase of the Concacaf Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cardines featured prominently during the October international break, starting both of Trinidad’s crucial away fixtures. He played the full 90 minutes in a commanding 3-0 win over Bermuda in Hamilton, before registering an assist in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Curaçao in Willemstad.

The results have significantly boosted Trinidad and Tobago’s hopes of advancing, lifting them to third place in Group B with five points from four games.

They now sit just one win behind second-placed Curaçao, with two group matches remaining and a potential inter-confederation play-off spot still in reach.

Cardines has become a regular for the Soca Warriors since his senior international debut in May during the Unity Cup at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium. In that match – a narrow 3-2 loss to Jamaica – he played the full match and struck the post with a free-kick that led to a goal.

Since then, he has featured consistently in World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup, including appearances in key draws against Haiti, Saudi Arabia, and Curaçao, as well as a full 90-minute display in a 2-0 defeat to Jamaica in September.

Trinidad progressed to the current stage of qualification after finishing second in their initial group, edging out Grenada on goal difference with an impressive 16 goals scored in four matches.

Palace U21s centre-back Mofe Jemide featured in England U20s' narrow 1-0 defeat to Switzerland at St. George’s Park, coming on just after half-time for Manchester United’s Ayden Heaven.

Despite England dominating much of the game, the visitors struck against the run of play in the first half through Winsley Boteli.

Jemide played the majority of the second half as England pushed for an equaliser, but Switzerland’s well-organised low block and standout goalkeeping from Aubert Marwan kept the young Lions at bay.

Late efforts from Kiano Dyer, Ethan Wheatley, and Lutfi Dalipi came close, but England couldn’t break through.

The match served as England’s only international fixture of the October camp, with Ben Futcher’s side looking to respond to last month’s loss to Italy at the SMH Group Stadium.

From Palace's younger Academy age-groups, Isaac and Arthur have been selected to partake in England Men's U15 Talent ID selection camp at St George's Park.

Keep track of how our Academy players got on this international window below!

All times BST.

Trinidad and Tobago - Rio Cardines

Friday, 10th Oct (23:00 BST): Bermuda 0-3 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played the full 90 minutes)
Tuesday, 14th Oct: Curacao 1-1 Trinidad and Tobago (Cardines played 90 minutes, registering an assist)

England Under-20 - Mofe Jemide

Friday, 10th Oct (13:00 BST): England U20 0-1 Switzerland (Jemide replaced Ayden Heaven and played the majority of the second half)

England Under-18s - Benji Casey

Thursday, 9th Oct (18:00 BST): England U18s 1-0 France U18s (Casey made his debut coming on in the 63rd minute)
Sunday, 12th Oct (14:00 BST): England U18s 2-2 France U18s (Casey took to the pitch at half-time and assisted Reigan Heskey)

Republic of Ireland Under-19s - George King

Friday, 10th Oct (10:00 BST): Albania U19s 2-1 Ireland U19s (King debuted, coming off the bench for McEnvoy in the midfield)
Sunday, 12th Oct (10:00 BST): Albania U19s 2-2 Ireland U19s (King made his first international start, but departed proceedings after 19 minutes)

Wales Under-19s - Charlie Walker-Smith

Wednesday, 8th Oct (14:00 BST): Wales U19s 2-5 Switzerland U19s (Walker-Smith played the final 30 minutes)
Saturday, 11th Oct (17:00 BST): Wales U19s 2-0 Netherlands U19s (Walker-Smith starts and nets his first international youth goal for Wales)
Tuesday, 14th Oct (11:00 BST): Wales U19s 0-7 England U19s (Walker-Smith completed the full 90 minutes)

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