Riveros Gets A Goal, Elmo's Egypt Undone, Angeleri Absent

A glut of Sunderland players on show around the globe last night as the international break continues.

The first of our three in action yesterday was Egyptian wide-man Ahmed Elmohamady, who suffered a heartbreaking defeat to South Africa at Ellis Park where Katlego Mphela popped up in the 93rd minute to get the winner. 

Egypt started in a 3-5-2 formation, Elmohamady wide right as a wingback, and our boy had an alright game. South Africa spent most the game lumping long balls down the middle, which were meat and drink to the 3 centre-halfs. When the goal eventually did come, there was nothing Elmo could do, as the play was entirely down the left handside of the field.

Later in the game, Egypt - in search of a winner - switched to 3-4-3, and Elmohamady stayed out wide, but more advanced. Still didn't work. A couple of crosses which were over-hit meant it was just your normal Elmohamady performance of hard work, but little end product.

And now, over to Oakland for a clash between Mexico and Paraguay. On show was current SAFC Paraguayan Crisitan Riveros, and former SAFC man Paulo Da Silva.

If you're wondering how Paulo got on, he was rubbish. At fault for 2 of Mexico's 3 goals, as they cruised to a 3-1 win. Paulo allowing himself to be out-muscled and jumped by Manchester United's Javier Hernandez for the first, and ball watching for Chicharito's second.

On to our man Riveros though - hard for him to prove any worth, he along with all 10 of his team mates were second best all night. Paraguay operated with a midfield five, Riveros performing the same role he did so well at the World Cup 2010, however he wasn't in the game much as Mexico stroked the pall around the midfield for fun.

Riveros did pop up in the 87th minute to grab a consolation goal. A low ball in from the left was trickling towards the arms of the Mexican keeper before Riveros nicked in ahead of him to tap in from all of 2 yards at the near post.

Later in the evening, USA grabbed a very credible 1-1 draw with Argentina. Marcos Angeleri took his familiar role of Unused Substitute, and it remains to be seen whether he's going to kick up a fuss about that one.

Thanks for reading. Later today tune your satellites/internet browsers to Ghana, Congo and North London to catsh SAFC stars in action.

Mensah & Muntari look likely to be in the Ghana team to take on Congo in Brazzaville, while Ivory Coast & Stephane Sessegnon's Benin find themselves playing in Accra, Ghana due to the political unrest in Ivory Coast.

Obviously, those of you int he UK should see Craig Gordon in action for Scotland against Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium this afternoon on ITV1.