Academy Internationals: Mulvenna on target, Benetton keeps clean sheet on debut

Club

3 hours ago

Several Crystal Palace Academy players are representing their countries during the September-October international break, with Alfie Mulvenna on target for Northern Ireland Under-17s and Taha Majni captaining Morocco Under-20s in their U20 AFCON qualifying opener.

Alfie Mulvenna made his mark for Northern Ireland U17s on Wednesday, scoring in a 4-1 defeat by Sweden in Spain.

The centre-back, who joined Palace as a first-year scholar from Larne over the summer, was then rested for Friday’s 2-1 victory over Switzerland, with the club having agreed to manage his minutes following a busy few weeks at the heart of Javier Alonso’s Under-18s defence.

Mulvenna returned to the starting XI on Monday, playing the full 90 minutes as Northern Ireland rounded off their Spain trip with a 2-0 defeat by Wales.

The three-match series forms part of the Young Greens’ preparations for UEFA Under-17 European Championship qualifying in November.

Lucca Benetton made his England Under-17s debut in impressive fashion, keeping a clean sheet as the Young Lions beat Venezuela 1-0 in Germany to make it three wins from three during the international window.

The 16-year-old goalkeeper had been an unused substitute for England’s 2-1 victory over Israel in their opening tournament fixture, having also been left out of the squad for the 5-1 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland.

Benetton now remains with the England U17s ahead of their final fixture against hosts Germany, with the latest appearance adding another milestone to what has been a superb start to the season.

The young shot-stopper travelled with the first team to the Como Cup, has trained regularly under Pierre Sage and was named on the bench for the Eagles’ maiden UEFA Europa League fixture against Lech Poznań.

Summer signing Taha Majni captained Morocco Under-20s in their opening UNAF Tournament fixture against Tunisia, playing 80 minutes as the sides played out a goalless draw in Ismailia.

Morocco followed that with a 3-1 victory over Algeria, with Majni missing this one as he has his minutes managed by Palace.

The tournament doubles as qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, with Morocco competing alongside Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya for two qualification places.

Majni was part of Morocco’s FIFA U20 World Cup-winning squad in Chile last year, aged just 17, and has since progressed to the Under-23s, earning two caps in March.

Fellow defender Dean Benamar came off the bench as England Under-19s continued their winning run with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Marbella, Spain.

The 18-year-old replaced Bendito Mantato in the 70th minute with the Young Lions 2-1 ahead, helping them hold on to secure a fourth consecutive victory.

The game was the first of three friendlies in Marbella, with England also set to face USA and Belgium as they continue their preparations for UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifying later this year.

Benamar heads into the autumn window in fine international form, having scored in each of his three appearances for the Young Lions across the March and May windows, finding the net against Croatia, Greece and Cyprus.

Joel Drakes-Thomas was initially selected for England Under-18s’ UEFA Friendship Cup campaign in Switzerland, but has since withdrawn through injury.

Isaac Ogunrinde earned his first international call-up with Republic of Ireland U16s after becoming Palace’s youngest U18 player of the season when he made his debut against Southampton at just 14.

The defender started both friendlies against France, playing just under an hour in each as Ireland suffered defeats by 4-0 and 2-1.

Rosen Modev has also received an international call-up after making his U18s debut against Fulham last weekend.

The 16-year-old ‘keeper has been selected by Bulgaria U17s for upcoming friendlies against Estonia and Malta.

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

All times are UK.

Northern Ireland Under-17s – Alfie Mulvenna

Wed, 23rd Sep: Northern Ireland U17s 1-4 Sweden U17s (Mulvenna played the full 90 minutes and got on the scoresheet)
Fri, 25th Sep: Switzerland U17s 1-2 Northern Ireland U17s (Mulvenna was not involved as Northern Ireland secured their first win of the autumn window)
Mon, 28th Sep: Wales U17s 2-0 Northern Ireland U17s (Mulvenna played the full 90 as Northern Ireland suffered defeat to Wales)

England Under-17s – Lucca Benetton

Wed, 23rd Sep: England U17s 5-1 Republic of Ireland (Benetton was not included in the squad)
Mon, 28th Sep: England U17s 2-1 Israel (Benetton was an unused substitute as England opened their three-game tournament in Germany with a win)
Thurs, 1st October: England U17s 1-0 Venezuela U17s (Benetton keeps a clean sheet on his England U17s debut as the Young Lions make it three wins from three)
Sunday, 4th October (23:00 BST): Germany v England U17s

England Under-19s – Dean Benamar

Fri, 25th Sep: England U19s 1-0 Republic of Ireland (Benamar played the full 90 minutes as England U19s made a winning start to the September-October international break)
Tues, 29th Sep: England U19s 2-1 Norway (Benamar replaced Mantato on 70 minutes to help the Young Lions hold on to the 2-1 win)
Friday, 2nd October (15:00 BST): England U19s v USA
Monday, 5th October (12:00 BST): England U19s v Belgium

Morocco Under-20s – Taha Majni

Sun, 27th Sep: Tunisia U20s 0-0 Morocco U20s (Majni started Morocco’s opening UNAF Tournament fixture, a goalless draw with Tunisia)
Wed, 30th Sep: Morocco U20 3-1 Algeria U20 (Majni missed this one as he has his minutes managed by Palace)
Saturday, 3rd October: Egypt U20 v Morocco U20
Tuesday, 6th October: Libya U20 v Morocco U20

Republic of Ireland Under-16s – Isaac Ogunrinde

Tues, 15th September: France 4-0 Republic of Ireland U16s (Ogunrinde played 57 minutes before being substituted for Tom Casey)
Thurs, 17th September: France 2-1 Republic of Ireland U16s (Ogunrinde started once more and was substituted on the hour mark)

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