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International round up: Defoe remains on bench for England

The AFC Bournemouth wait for an England international goes on as Jermain Defoe stayed on the bench in Malta.

Europe

Cherries striker Defoe remained a substitute at the National Stadium in Ta' Qali on Friday evening as England ran out 4-0 winners, Harry Kane netting a brace.

The wait for a first England cap for a Bournemouth player now rolls over to Monday when the Three Lions host Slovakia at Wembley.

Elsewhere in Group F, Ryan Fraser also made the squad but not the pitch for the Tartan Army as Scotland won impressively 3-0 away against Lithuania.

Joshua King, whose new four-year deal with the Cherries was announced this week, played in the  qualifier with Azerbaijan in Oslo, opening the scoring from the penalty spot in his nation's 2-0 win. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina suffered a setback in Group H on Thursday, as they lost 3-2 away to Cyprus. Cherries 'keeper Asmir Begovic played the full match in Nicosia as his side took a two-goal lead but lost to three goals in 11 minutes in the Cypriot capital.

Africa

Striker Benik Afobe came off the bench in the 61st minute for DR Congo in their qualification match away at Tunisia, however the Cherries man was unable to turn the game in his side's favour, with the Leopards losing 2-1 in Rades.

Asia

Brad Smith played the full match in Saitama on Thursday as Australia suffered a 2-0 loss to Japan, the Blue Samarai now confirmed as qualified for the World Cup in Russia next summer. Adam Federici was on the bench for the game.

The loss leaves the Socceroos level on points with Saudi Arabia for the one remaining guaranteed qualification spot remaining in Group B of AFC qualification. Smith's side face Thailand at home on Tuesday, while Saudi Arabia host Japan to round off the group.

If Australia finish third in the group they will face a two-legged play-off to try and secure their place in Russia.  

Under-21s

Lewis Cook celebrated his first England under-21s call up with a start and 90 minutes against the Netherlands in UEFA European Under-21s Championship qualification, the game ending in a 1-1 draw.

The Young Lions next take on Latvia at Vitality Stadium on Tuesday, with tickets available to purchase now for the 7:45pm kick-off.

Romania under-21s won 3-1 away to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the same qualification rounds as Cook, with young Cherries forward Mihai Dobre, now on loan with Bury, on the bench throughout the win.