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Southampton: Steven Davis plays duration as Northern Ireland lose to Bosnia

By Chris Hughes

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Muhamed Besic of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League B group three match between Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Windsor Park on September 8, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Muhamed Besic of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League B group three match between Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Windsor Park on September 8, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Southampton captain Steven Davis featured for his national side this afternoon as they lost 2-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their opening game of the new UEFA Nations League.

Davis has played just once for Southampton this season and that came against Brighton in the Carabao Cup late last month.

Just this week the Southampton captain had spoken out about his lack of minutes for his club this campaign, with the experienced midfielder set for talks with manager Mark Hughes after his tumble down the pecking order.

Despite this the 33-year-old remains a mainstay with the Northern Irish side of which he is also captain, however they were beaten on home soil by the Bosnian’s this afternoon.

The away side scored either side of half-time as Michael O’Neill’s side were authors of their own downfall, before a late Will Grigg strike served only as consolation.

Next. Hojbjerg's resurgence warrants his starting spot. dark

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Gojko Cimirot of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League B group three match between Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Windsor Park on September 8, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Steve Davis of Northern Ireland and Gojko Cimirot of Bosnia-Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League B group three match between Northern Ireland and Bosnia-Herzegovina at Windsor Park on September 8, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /

Haris Duljevic scored the game’s opener after around 36 minutes when Bosnia’s talisman Edin Dzeko found the 24-year-old who flicked the ball from close-range.

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Elvis Saric scored the traveling side’s second just after the hour mark, after a lapse in communication between the Northern Irish defence and goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell resulted in the midfielder Saric tapping the ball into an empty net.

"“There were a lot of positives to take from the game. We have definitely played a lot worse and won.” – Steven Davis"

The result means Northern Ireland have won just one of their last eight games – they’ll want to get themselves back on track as they face an Israel side in Belfast this coming Tuesday.

Meanwhile Mario Lemina’s Gabon drew 1-1 with Burundi this afternoon meaning the former are yet to record their first win as they attempt to qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations. Stoke City forward Saido Berahino scored on his first start for Burundi, after switching his allegiance from England earlier this year.

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