Five Saints in action as international fixtures end

Maya Yoshida earned his 99th cap for Japan in their 3-0 win against Tajikistan.

Captaining the side to a 6-0 victory over Mongolia last week, the defender had the armband once again as a Takumi Minamino brace and Takuma Asano header secured all three points.

The win sees the Samurai Blue continue their 100% start to World Cup qualification, sitting top of Group F.

Whilst Yoshida approaches his century, two Saints youngsters were on display for Republic of Ireland Under-21s in their Under-21 Euro 2021 qualifier. 

Travelling to Reykjavik to take on their Icelandic counterparts, Michael Obafemi was awarded a first start whilst Southampton Under-23s defender Kameron Ledwidge was handed a debut.

Drawing 0-0 with Italy on Thursday, Stephen Kenny’s side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat, with Obafemi substituted on 75 minutes.

Also falling to defeat in their group were Austria Under-21s, captained by Kevin Danso. 

Any hopes of a fairytale return to MK Dons - where the defender was part of the academy - were extinguished by an Eddie Nketiah hat-trick and Callum Hudson-Odoi double, with Christoph Baumgartner netting a consolation in a 5-1 defeat. 

Rounding off the October international break, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg completed the whole match for Denmark in their 4-0 friendly win against Luxembourg.

A brace from Kasper Dolberg and further strikes from Martin Braithwaite and Christian Gytkær made it two wins from two for Højbjerg and his compatriots.