MAYA Yoshida gave his commiserations to Japan international team-mate Yuto Nagatomo after he gifted Saints victory over Inter Milan at St Mary’s with a bizarre own goal.

Just minutes after Saints levelled through Virgil van Dijk against the Italian giants Dusan Tadic’s cross bounced awkwardly off Nagatomo’s thigh and into the net to give Claude Puel’s side a 2-1 win.

It was an unfortunate moment for the Inter defender that gifted Saints a famous victory and pushed them towards qualification from the Europa League group stages.

“It was unlucky for him,” he said. “It can happen to anyone, but that’s football. Some things happen like this and you have to accept it.”

“I will meet him next week for international duty,” he added. “I say to him something like I’m saying now – bad luck!”

Yoshida, who will meet up with the Inter defender for World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Saudi Arabia, was delighted with a vital victory that put Saints in a commanding position in Group K.

“It was important to win because we had lost in the San Siro,” he said. “It was a great atmosphere and we needed to get the three points.

“Maybe we should have done better in the first half.”

The central defender has been amazed by the club’s rise through the ranks, recognising the significance of beating Inter Milan at St Mary’s.

It was just a matter of years ago that Saints were wallowing in League One in financial disarray, but they have climbed back to become established in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa League.

“It’s an amazing improvement for the club,” he said. “Today’s atmosphere was brilliant. I’ve been here for four years now, but this game was one of the best for atmosphere.”

Yoshida is embracing his chance of playing in the Europa League.

“I’m getting the chance to play in the Europa League, but of course the Premier League is the first priority,” he said.

“It's been a really tough group with all the travelling and against tough opponents,” he added. “It’s not easy especially against teams like Inter Milan.

“It’s going to be really difficult against Sparta Prague in the next game.”