Southampton international round-up

Southampton had three internationals in action for 2018 World Cup Qualification on Thursday, including Maya Yoshida who helped Japan secure its place in Russia next summer.

Yoshida played all 90 minutes for the Samurai Blue, who were 2-0 winners over Australia in Saitama. It was the first win for Japan against their Asian Football Confederation counterparts in eight attempts.

“Those two points lifted the whole team up and that kind of motivation is very important for myself and the rest of the players as well,” said a delighted Yoshida to the Japan Times.

Cedric Soares and Portugal also ran out winners in a 5-1 thrashing of the tiny Faroe Islands. The European champions, however, remain second in the Group B, three points behind Switzerland.

Unfortunately it was defeat for Southampton new boy Wesley Hoedt and the Netherlands, who lost 4-0 to France.

The Dutch slipped to fourth in the group following the result, leaving them six points adrift of the French with three games remaining. Sweden and Bulgaria are in second a third position, respectively.

Southampton's Jan Bednarek, Steven Davis and Ryan Bertrand could all feature for their respective countries with World Cup qualifying continuing today.