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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Virgil van Dijk shines but can’t stop Netherlands defeat

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VIRGIL van Dijk delivered a consummate performance for the Netherlands this evening, but could not prevent them from suffering a 1-0 defeat to France in a World Cup 2018 qualifier.

Jose Fonte meanwhile played the whole match as Portugal battered the Faroe Islands 6-0.

Saints central defender Van Dijk started his third match in a row and was highly impressive for the Netherlands in central defence, but couldn’t stop them dropping below France in Group A.

Ex-Saints goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who now plays for Everton, should have done better with Paul Pogba’s decisive long range strike on the half hour mark.

The Manchester United midfielder’s 30-yarder proved to be too powerful, handing Les Bleus a lead they would not let go of.

Another Saint, Jordy Clasie, watched from the bench as the Dutch suffered their first defeat of their qualifying campaign, which sees them drop to third behind the French and Sweden.

There weren’t such problems for Fonte and Portugal in the Faroe Islands.

The Euro 2016 champions sauntered to victory, slamming home six goals for the second successive game.

The Saints skipper played the entire match in central defence as Portugal mauled the island minnows.

Porto star Andre Silva netted a hat-trick to put the visitors 3-0 up at the break, before Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho and Joao Cancelo completed the rout.

Portugal smashed Andorra 6-0 in their qualifier prior to this one, but despite their imperious form remain second in Group B behind Switzerland.

Cedric Soares, the Saints right-back, was not involved in Portugal’s latest matches because of an injury he picked up at Leicester.

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Saints star eyes emotional return

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Jay Rodriguez is hoping an emotional return from injury against hometown club Burnley will kick start a prolonged comeback.

The 27-year-old striker is back in training again following several weeks out of action with a groin injury, the latest in a line of injury setbacks.

Rodriguez is desperate to face Burnley for only the second time since he left the club to join Saints for £7 million back in 2012.

There is optimism that this time it might be the start of a run of games without injury for the luckless forward as he tries to rebuild his career.

Rodriguez was in great form when he suffered a heart-breaking ACL tear at Manchester City in April 2014, which started a sustained catalogue of problems.

After complications during his rehabilitation, Rodriguez missed the whole of the 2014/15 season, which included two Premier League matches against Burnley in their brief stay in the top flight.

Rodriguez has suffered again since, including having to have surgery on his foot.

He returned to action this season hoping to make it a campaign to remember and a goal against Sunderland at St Mary’s meant thoughts of a potential loan move in a bid for regular football were shelved.

Rodriguez also netted late in the Europa League win over Sparta Prague before being ruled out with a minor groin problem.

Now he has the chance to return and try and get a run of games together.

That starts against Burnley, the club where he made his name and where he is still fondly remembered.

He has only faced Burnley once since he left, that an FA Cup tie in January 2014 which Saints won 4-3 at St Mary’s in which Rodriguez scored.

Saints have a packed schedule ahead of them after the international break, with seven games in 22 days.

There will be plenty of chances for Rodriguez to get involved, with Claude Puel keen to rotate his squad and give all his players game time.

Rodriguez will be desperately hoping he can stay fit and take advantage to really get his career moving again.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Regional Talent Club Technical Director Lois Fidler discusses #SaintsFC’s #SameGame campaign: https://grabyo.com/g/v/90IhovZmX0z

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Daily and Sunday Express article

Every Premier League team’s forgotten man | Sport Galleries | Pics | Daily Express

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Click through the gallery to see every Premier League team’s forgotten man for a whole variety of reasons [GETTY]

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Support of friends and Saints fans key to keeping Franny going on epic journey

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SUPPORT from Saints fans around the country, footballing friends and cancer survivors have been key to helping Franny Benali through Benali’s Big Race.

The former Saints player is running a marathon and cycling more than 75 miles every day for two weeks and has now completed nine days of the challenge which sees him finish at St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.

But there is one person who stands out in the support team – his wife Karen.

She is at every stadium to meet Franny, catches up with him as often as possible during the long days on the road, runs with him whenever she can, ensures his recovery process begins as soon as possible at the end of every day and provides the emotional support needed to complete such a mammoth challenge.

Franny says that the support of his whole family is absolutely vital and that Karen pays a crucial role in the event. “She’s amazing and really taking care of me.”

Karen is equally in awe of Franny and says that she is beyond proud of his efforts, his determination and his mental toughness. “He is physically the strongest person I have ever met in my life,” she said.

“He is now in pain every step he takes and it’s certainly an emotional time for us all.

"He’s really feeling the strain now but every step is a step closer to home and he’s just so determined – despite the pain he won’t give up.”

Yesterday’s leg of the challenge saw Franny visit Leeds, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield with support from the likes of former team mates James Beattie, Ken Monkou and David Prutton when he arrived at Elland Road.

"It is a real slog running a marathon and then cycling a further 75 miles every day for two weeks so it gave me a real boost to see a few former Southampton colleagues,’’ said Franny who heads further south today with calls to stadiums in Nottingham, Derby, Burton and Leicester.

“At least we are getting closer to home.”

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Sourced from Daily and Sunday Express article

Premier League injury list | Sport Galleries | Pics | Daily Express

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Express Sport runs through every Premier League club’s injury list, but which team is missing the most players? [Getty Images]

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Dusan Tadic in irrepressible form ahead of Saints return

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DUSAN Tadic will return to Saints from international duty with his confidence brimming after continuing his irrepressible form for Serbia.

Of his nation’s last ten goals, the Saints attacking midfielder has scored four of them himself and, incredibly, assisted six.

That fruitful run of games for Tadic has been a massive factor in sending Slavoljub Muslin’s side to the summit of their World Cup qualifying group, which also features the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

Shane Long and Ireland are in second place on goal difference.

At club level, Tadic’s creativity has been a key feature of Saints’s six-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, which they look to extend at home to Burnley this Sunday in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old will return to Saints in the mood for more after hitting new heights in his latest internationals.

Not long ago things with the national team were not so rosy for the playmaker.

Back in March, Tadic revealed that he felt humiliated after he was left out the squad.

He later stated that he would not play for Serbia while Muslin’s predecessor Radovan Curcic, who was sacked after failing to qualify for the Euros, was in charge.

How things have changed since.

Tadic’s hot form jolted into life after an 88th minute goal in a 3-1 friendly win over Israel in May.

In Serbia’s latest Group D success, a pulsating 3-2 home win over Austria, Tadic provided a brace for Newcastle targetman Aleksandar Mitrovic before netting the winner 16 minutes from time.

After the match, he said: “I almost burst into tears when the whole stadium started chanting my name at the end of the game.

“It doesn’t matter who’s getting the assists and the goals, the important thing is that we are winning. Muslin has deployed the right strategy and we’re only going to get better.”

That followed another excellent display in a 3-0 win in Moldova last Friday.

First, Tadic assisted Filip Kostic to open the scoring, then he delivered a pinpoint cross that found Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic to head home.

The former FC Twente man then found the net himself just before the hour mark.

In their opening World Cup qualifier in September, Tadic netted and then set-up Kostic in a 2-2 draw with Republic of Ireland, which followed an assist for Mitrovic in a 1-1 tie with Russia.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 11/10/2016 12:48:10

| | Six Premier League clubs send scouts to Stevenage v PlymouthCROYDONADVERTISER |
| | Saints hope for Rodriguez returnCLUBCALL |
| | An England squad of Southampton players present and formerHEREISTHECITY |

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Sourced from A tweet by England tweet

@England - England

Walton
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Grea… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/785823514632806400

Retweets: 55

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC’s @MayaYoshida3 wins an aerial battle with Australia forward Tomi Juric. It’s currently 1-1 in Melbou… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/785788418232123392

Retweets: 13

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Seven Saints gear up for Tuesday qualifiers

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Seven Saints could be in action for their countries again on Tuesday night.

After a 2-1 victory over Iraq, Maya Yoshida and Japan travel to face Australia in their latest 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at 10am BST.

Nathan Redmond, Matt Targett, James Ward-Prowse and Jack Stephens could be involved as England Under-21s take on Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Banks’s Stadium, in a 3pm kick-off.

Targett missed the 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan which secured qualification to the European Championships in Poland, with Nathan Redmond assisting Demarai Gray for the goal.

Later in the day, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could feature for Denmark as they host Montenegro in Group E looking to bounce back from a defeat to Poland (7.45pm BST).

Steven Davis will be involved again for Northern Ireland when they head to the HDI Arena, Hannover to face reigning world champions Germany (7.45pm BST).

Davis was on target for Michael O’Neill’s men as they recorded a 4-0 victory over San Marino at Windsor Park.

The sides met at UEFA Euro 2016, where a goal from Mario Gomez proved to be the difference.

Elsewhere, Fraser Forster is in the England squad to face Slovenia at Stadion Stožice (7.45pm BST).

Gareth Southgate’s first game in charge as interim boss saw the Three Lions secure a 2-0 win over Malta.

Ryan Bertrand started the game, before pulling up with an injury trying to reach a Wayne Rooney and he will not be involved.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Some great news for #SaintsFC’s Regional Talent Club, with four youngsters receiving international recognition! https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2c5up

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Fonte plays in Portugal win

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José Fonte helped Portugal to a comfortable 6-0 win over Faroe Islands in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday evening.

The Southampton captain played the full 90 minutes as the Portuguese secured successive victories by the same scoreline in Group A following their 6-0 win at home to Andorra last Friday – a game Fonte also completed.

Minnows Faroe Islands went into this clash one point ahead of the Portuguese, but they fell behind to the European Champions after just 12 minutes to André Silva’s strike.

Fonte went into the book just before half time for a clash with midfielder Hallur Hansson when heading the ball clear.

Silva completed a first half hat-trick before Cristiano Ronaldo added a fourth after half time.

João Moutinho and João Cancelo contributed the game’s final goals in stoppage time as the visitors went on to make it six points from their first three games of qualification.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Take a statistical look at an outstanding international break for #SaintsFC’s Dušan Tadić and his season so far: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2c6r1

Retweets: 1

Favourites: 6

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 11/10/2016 15:49:30

| | Saints Fans Need To Urge Franny On ! - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |
| | Report: Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez to make latest comeback from injury against BurnleyHEREISTHECITY |

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

In Numbers: Tadić shines for Serbia

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The playmaker has been directly involved in his country’s last 10 goals, scoring four and setting up six.

He laid on two goals for Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrović, before netting himself in a 3-2 win against Austria on Sunday night.

That followed two assists and a goal in the 3-0 success away to Moldova last Thursday night and his scintillating form has been a hot topic on the international stage.

Ahead of the international break, Tadić’s first goal of the season at West Ham United was voted goal of the month after his clever run saw him skillfully round Adrian.

An integral part of the Saints side, he has also created 22 chances for his teammates so far in the Premier League, the third highest number for an individual in the top-flight, behind only Willian (23) and Jason Puncheon (24).

Such success has continued from last season, when he became only the fourth player to register three assists in a single game on more than one occasion in the Premier League alongside Eyal Berkovic, Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Video: Fidler on Same Game campaign

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC pair @jackstephens_18 and @NathanRedmond22 help the #YoungLions to a 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2c79f

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

The next set of ticketing criteria for #SaintsFC’s trip to #ACSparta in the #UEL has been confirmed: https://cards.twitter.com/cards/rh0us/2b42c

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Yoshida helps Japan to Australia draw

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Maya Yoshida’s Japan remain one point behind Australia in their World Cup qualifying group following a 1-1 draw with the Socceroos in Melbourne.

The visitors took a surprise sixth minute lead when Keisuke Honda found Hertha midfielder Genki Haraguchi who produced a clinical finish past Socceroos ‘keeper Matthew Ryan.

Despite having less of the possession, it was a solid defensive showing from the Japanese, with Yoshida helping to guide Samurai Blue to a deserved shut out in the first half.

However, shortly into the second 45 goal scorer Haraguchi went from hero to villain as he gave away a penalty which Aston Villa man Mile Jedinak converted to bring the hosts level.

Yoshida played the full game for his side and will now return to Southampton after a successful few days for Japan who picked up four points from two games in Group B of the Asia qualifying region.

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