INTERNATIONALS: Schmeichel And Okazaki In Action

- The Danes remain in an automatic qualification spot but have now played all their fixtures 

- Albania will only overtake them if they win away to Armenia on Sunday night 

- Denmark are guaranteed at least a play-off place

- Shinji Okazaki scores and wins a penalty in Japan’s 3-0 win over Syria 

- Japan leapfrog Syria in Fifa World Cup 2018 qualifying 

Kasper Schmeichel and Shinji Okazaki kicked off the international involvement for Leicester City’s players on Thursday as they saw action for Denmark and Japan. 

In Euro 2016 Qualifying, Schmeichel’s Denmark faced the daunting task of taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal away in Braga in an effort to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive. 

The Danes went into the match behind Portugal in the second of the two automatic qualifying spots, with Albania hot on their heels in third. However despite holding a talented Portugal outfit to 0-0 at half time as well as striking the upright through Nicklas Bendtner, Joao Moutinho netted the winner for Portugal just after the hour mark. 

Schmeichel was proving tough to beat in the Denmark net, but he could do nothing to prevent the midfielder finding the top corner with an emphatic finish that confirmed the hosts’ spot at Euro 2016. 

However a 2-0 defeat for third-placed Albania at home to Serbia means the Danes stay in second spot despite having now played all their games. Both teams are guaranteed at least a third-placed finish and a play-off place, with a victory away at Armenia in Albania’s final game the only result that can see them overtake the Danes. 

Just one point separates the sides, but Denmark’s superior head-to-head record – based on away goals scored in games between the two teams – will give them the edge if Albania can only draw in Armenia.

In Oman, Leicester City striker Shinji Okazaki was on target as Japan gave their World Cup 2018 qualifying hopes a massive boost with a 3-0 victory over Syria. 

Okazaki’s run drew the foul for a penalty that Keisuke Honda duly converted for Japan’s opener early in the second half. The City striker then fired home from close range before being replaced with five minutes to play. 

Takashi Usami completed the win for Japan, who moved above Syria in Group E with 10 points from four games – one above their second placed opponents with four games remaining. 

Keep track with Leicester City’s international stars this week through .