Luton Town players made their mark on the world stage in spectacular fashion this weekend as both Thelo Aasgaard and Isaiah Jones delivered standout goalscoring performances for their respective nations.
Midfielder Aasgaard was lost for words after capping his senior international debut for Norway with a strike and an assist on Saturday in a 5-0 World Cup qualifier victory in Moldova. The 22-year-old, who had previously represented his country at U16, U20 and U21 level.
Aasgaard, who joined Town from Wigan Athletic in January, played a major role in the visitors going ahead after just five minutes, picking out Julian Ryerson to open the scoring at the Stadionul Zimbru.
Manchester City star Erling Haaland doubled the lead midway through the first half before Aasgaard had his moment with 38 minutes gone, firing home from close range after a corner wasn’t properly cleared.
Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard then set up Alexander Sorloth to make it 4-0 by the break, before Aasgaard was replaced by Bodø/Glimt’s Patrick Berg in the 63rd minute. Aron Donnum added another to ensure Norway eased to the top of Group I as they look to qualify for their first major tournament since 2000.
Speaking afterwards, Aasgaard said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling, there’s just no words. I’ve been working towards this moment for a long time, so for it to come is just amazing. I just tried to arrive in the box late and it was from a corner so I just tried to react as quickly as I could, and to see the ball in the back of the net was an amazing feeling. It means everything, I can’t really put it into words right now. It was such a good feeling and just to be on the pitch was amazing.”
“Dream international debut,” he later posted on his social media channels, adding: “So special for me to put my boots on in a Norway shirt, moments like this I have manifested for many years and hopefully can create more. Pleasure to be part of a great group.”
Meanwhile, another Luton player made history as Isaiah Jones became the first player to score a hat-trick for his country in a full international while playing for the Hatters. To secure his place in the record books, the winger put on a dazzling display for the Golden Jaguars, finding the net three times in a 3-2 victory over Guatemala in their Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary first leg clash. The second leg is on Wednesday.
Jones became the 68th player to appear for his country while also featuring for the Hatters (including loan players), while Guyana became the 24th nation to be represented by a Luton player. And with Aasgaard’s debut for Norway, that tally has now risen to 69 players and 25 different countries.
Be the first to comment