Simek/Brunt's international delights

The Owls right-back started his first game for the national team after being left out of the squad completely for the weekend's win over Ecuador.

But the former Arsenal man impressed, help keep a clean sheet and put in a good account of himself with a decent performance by playing the full 90 minutes.

"It was pretty cool," Simek told the US Soccer Federation's website about his first-ever cap for the national team.

"It was something I've wanted to do for awhile now and it was a great honour to get my first cap. The result could have gone better for us I thought, but they sat in and frustrated us. All in all, it was a decent performance, but we should have ended up better."

"The pace of this game is a lot slower. Obviously, when you're playing a team like Guatemala they are going to make it difficult for you as well. It was night and day, that's for sure."

Meanwhile, Chris Brunt was impressive for Northern Ireland as they continued their remarkable run this season - the winger helped Lawrie Sanchez's men beat Sweden 2-1.

David Healey's brace sealed a 2-1 win and Brunt was taken off in stoppage time at the end of the game.

Brunt is also being linked with summer moves to Reading, Charlton, West Ham and Manchester City.