NATHAN Ake conquered Cristiano Ronaldo on the international stage and then turned his attentions to Watford frontman Troy Deeney.

The Cherries defender earned his sixth senior cap and played 90 minutes as the Netherlands eased past 10-man Portugal in a friendly in Geneva on Monday, handing new boss Ronald Koeman his first win in charge.

Ake lined up as one of three central defenders and helped sink the European champions 3-0, setting him up nicely for Cherries' Premier League trip to Watford on Saturday.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Vicarage Road in 2015-16, making 24 top-flight outings as the Hornets finished 13th in the standings.

Ake said: "I still like Watford very much. I loved the time I was there.

"My loan there was very important to my development. I think I started almost every week in the Premier League and even though I was in a different position at left-back, I learned a lot and it made me stronger.

"I think I am a better player now. At the time I was quite young – 21 or 22. So I have learned a lot and I still have a lot to learn but this year I think I have learned a lot more.

"There are a few people left at Watford who I know – Troy Deeney, Jose Holebas – I was good with everyone.

"It will be tough to play against Troy. He’s very strong. It will be a bit like in the West Brom game, as (Salomon) Rondon is very strong as well. So we need to prepare well for that."

Cherries have 36 points on the board from 31 games, placing them in the top half of the table.

Asked if a win over the Hornets would ensure safety, Ake said: "Yes, almost. We did very well to win against West Brom because otherwise it would still have been very close.

"But if we win against Watford, we will be closer."

Meanwhile, Ryan Fraser set up Scotland's goal in their 1-0 friendly victory against Hungary in Budapest on Tuesday.

Handed a start by newly-appointed Tartan Army boss Alex McLeish, Fraser's superb cross was tapped home by Matt Phillips minutes into the second half.

The Cherries winger had earlier won a penalty after being fouled by Laszlo Kleinheisler, only for captain Charlie Mulgrew to miss from the spot.

Fraser was substituted in the 82nd minute.

Elsewhere, Boreham Wood loan striker Joe Quigley was brought on as a late substitute in Republic of Ireland under-21s' last-gasp 1-0 win over visitors Azerbaijan in European Championship qualifying.

Goalkeeper Mark Travers endured a difficult 90 minutes as Ireland under-19s' hopes of reaching the European Championship were ended by a 4-0 defeat to Portugal.

Gavin Kilkenny featured in Ireland under-18s' 1-0 friendly loss to Romania.

Earlier today, 18-year-old midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh made his international debut for Nigeria under-20s, playing in the 2-1 friendly defeat to hosts Egypt.