Arnhem football club Vitesse were shown no mercy by former coach Ronald Koeman as he led Southampton to a 3-0 victory in their third round Europa League qualifier on Thursday night.

Five Southampton players have their roots in the Dutch game and, according to broadcaster Nos, had clocked up more Dutch appearances than the entire Vitesse team.

Maarten Stekelenburg (ex-Ajax), Dusan Tadic (ex-FC Groningen, ex-FC Twente), Jordy Clasie (ex-Feyenoord), Maya Yoshida (ex-VVV-Venlo) and Graziano Pellè (ex-AZ, ex-Feyenoord) all turned out for the English side, who finished fourth in the premier league last year.

The return leg takes place in the Netherlands next week.

Alkmaar side AZ had better luck, beating Turkish side Basaksehir 2-0 in the home leg of their third round qualifier.

AZ are without five key players from last season’s side, but benefited from a goal from 11 metres out from debutant Jop van der Linden. Fellow debutant Vincent Janssen made it 2-0 after an hour’s play, sealing the Alkmaar side’s victory.

Europe

Three other Dutch clubs are also involved in European competition this season.

Groningen automatically qualify for the Europa League group stage as winners of the Dutch cup.

PSV, as Eredivise winners, automatically qualify for the Champions League, and Ajax were held to a 2-2 draw in their qualifier against Rapid Vienna away earlier this week.