Aussies Abroad - September 2012

A few big names transferred to the A-League, but mostly foreign players.

The destination of choice for Aussies seems to be the Middle East at the moment. The Socceroos were in action, and the big European club competitions have moved into the main group stages.

Transfers

The exodus continues as numerous young players have turned up in England. A few loan deals have now been sorted and we go another month with the likes of Harry Kewell and Nathan Coe yet to find a new club.

Additions/changes to database

Patrick Antelmi (15 Mar 1994) - transferred to Leeds United, England

Kearyn Baccus (5 Sep 1991) - loan to Perth Glory, Australia

Alex Brosque (12 Oct 1983) - transferred to Al Ain, U.A.E.

Jamie Coyne (2 Jan 1981) - transferred to Persib Bandung, Indonesia

Michael Cvetkovski (21 Nov 1987) - transferred to Rabotnicki, Macedonia

Christian Esposito (23 Jul 1990) - loan to ASD Valle D'Aosta, Italy

Andreas Govas (21 Jul 1989) - transferred to AEL Kallonis, Greece

Paul Katsetis (19 Jan 1996) - transferred to Catania, Italy

Billy Konstantinidis (21 Apr 1986) - loan to AEP Iraklis, Greece

Matthew Nemes (2 Apr 1987) - transferred to Droylsden FC, England

Robert Paratore(8 Nov 1995) - transferred to Leicester City, England

Callum Richardson (9 Nov 1995) - transferred to Burnley, England

Sean Rooney (1 Mar 1989) - transferred to Salgaocar FC, India

James Stojcevski (17 Sep 1995) - transferred to FC Astoria Walldorf, Germany

Removed from database

Tomislav Arcaba (FK BSK Borca) - unsigned

Nathan Coe (Sonderjyske) - unsigned

Dean Evans (Sham Shui Po) - unsigned

Vince Grella (Blackburn) - unsigned

Daniel Ireland (Coventry City) -unsigned

Andy Rakic (FC Victoria Rosport) - unsigned

Paul Reid (Insee Police United) - transferred to Sydney FC

Jonathan Stynes (Kilmarnock) - unsigned

Nick Terezakis (Vicenza) - returned to Australia, unsigned

Joel Theissen (GPS Portland Phoenix) - unsigned

Club Level

England (Premiership) - Mark Schwarzer had a solid but not spectacular month in goal at Fulham, keeping one clean sheet and only conceding one goal in his other fixtures since returning from Socceroos duties. Brett Holman has been getting great minutes and has produced several man-of-the-match performances at Aston Villa already, suggesting the transition to English football is going well. Brad Jones has remained on the bench at Liverpool but some shaky performances by Reina of late may see a call up which would help his claim for as a first-choice for the Socceroos. Chris Herd is just returning from injury while Adam Federici hasn't been sighted for a month.

England (Championship) - Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) and Shane Lowry (Millwall) have been the Aussies to feature regularly at this level during September. Scott McDonald still can't get a look in at Middlesbrough. Massimo Luongo has been overlooked a little recently and will be looking to return to the starting XI at Ipswich Town, with Neil Kilkenny at Bristol City in a similar situation.

England (League One) - A very different story here with James Wesolowki, Alex Cisak and Dean Bouzanis all getting starts at Oldham Athletic. Young Bailey Wright and Shane Cansdell-Sheriff seem to have the centre-back positions to themselves most weeks.

England (League Two) - Both Aaron Downes (Torquay) and James Meredith (Braford City) have settled into their new clubs well and are permanent starters. Jamie Young has had a battle to be the number one gloveman at Aldershot however he is currently the first choice.

Italy (Serie A) - James Troisi (Atalanta) is in the squad but not seeing much game time yet.

Germany (Bundesliga) - Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf) continues in the starting XI. The other Aussie we hope to see make an impact is Nikita Rukavytsya, who has just made his debut at Mainz 05.

Netherlands (Eredivisie) – It’s all about the FC Utrecht boys this month, with Adam Sarota and Tommy Oar regularly getting starts. Michael Zullo has just returned from an injury lay off.

Scotland (Premier League) - Ryan McGowan continues to perform well at Hearts. His younger brother, Dylan, made his senior debut this month. Young keeper Alex Baird continues to gain experience from the bench at Dundee United.

Croatia ( 1. HNL) - Steve Lustica (Hajduk) has been seeing some minutes off the bench, as has young striker Tomi Juric at NK Inter Zapresic.

Austria (Bundesliga) - James Holland is posting some great numbers this season, having now started all 10 games.

Serbia (Super Liga) - a first start for the season for Matt Byrne at Donji Siem and a debut goal for Eli Babalj (Red Star) means we need to keep an eye on this league.

Belgium (Second division) - former Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC player Kofi Danning has made his debut for CS Vise.

Ireland (Premier) - Twenty-one year old striker Mark Griffin now has seven goals in all competitions for Dundalk so far this season.

Ireland (First Division) - Dylan Mernagh (Waterford United) has continued his impressive season as his club now pushes for automatic promotion.

Iceland (1. Deild) - The run of starts has continued for Chris Ross (Vikingur Reykjavik) as the competition enters the winter break.

Qatar (Stars League) - debuts for both Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa) and Matt Spiranovic (Al Arabi).

U.A.E. (UFL) - Richard Porta hasn't missed a beat, scoring a brace on his debut for Dubai Club. Both Lucas Neill (Al Wasl) and Nick Carle (Baniyas) have also debuted.

China (Super League) - The Aussies in China continue to see good minutes, most notably Jonas Salley, Dino Djulbic, Joel Griffiths and Daniel Mullen.

Japan (J- League) - Not a lot to rave about here as Jade North faces relegation and Josh Kennedy has not scored since resuming from injury. Good to see him returning to match fitness, though.

Korea (K-League) - A good month for our Aussies as Eddie Bosnar, Adrian Madaschi, Matt McKay, Alex Wilkinson, Robbie Cornthwaite and Like Devere all starters at their respective club sides.

USA (MLS) - Tim Cahill hasn't missed a minute since his transfer to the Big Apple. Andy Rose has returned from injury at Seattle.

Injuries

Several key players remain in the medical rooms, namely Rhys Williams, Carl Valeri and Matthew Leckie. Not only has Dylan Tombides returned from injury, he also made his senior debut at West Ham United. Congratulations to him after a life-threatening illness.

Club Competitions

Europe

(UEFA Champions League) – The only Aussie interest was a bench place for Mitch Langerak as Dortmund beat Ajax 1-0 at home.

Asia

(AFC Cup) - Andrew Barisic (Arema) started both quarter-finals but his team was eliminated.

North America

(CONCAF Champions League) - Andy Rose (Seattle Sounders) started and provided an assist as his team remained undefeated in the group stages.

Reserves and Youth

Several Aussies Abroad saw starts in Jackson Irvine (Celtic), Giancarlo Gallifiuco (Tottenham) and Brad Smith (Liverpool). It’s worth noting that Smith appeared for the England U-21 side during the month. In the new U-21 League in England, about 12 a dozen Aussies are featuring regularly. There were several great performances, but Brad Inman (Newcastle), Matthew Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday) and Patrick Antelmi (Leeds) have been regulars on the scoring charts.

International level

A commanding friendly performance by Australia’s U-19 side against Lebanon was reversed as it went down to Jordan in a WC qualifier. It was a little disappointing for the side as it could only manage third in its tournament in Vietnam.

Socceroo (capped) of the month - Playing for a club that is now in the top half of the Bundesliga is impressive and Robbie Kruse is playing every minute. He’s not playing primarily as a goal-scorer, however the assists are coming and the goals may not be far behind.

Under (uncapped) the radar - Although lowly placed still, Shane Lowry has not missed a minute for Millwall this campaign. Having earlier flirted with Ireland, cementing a club career may see him get a call from the Socceroos boss.

Young player (U21) of the month - In what seemed like a very long trial period, the performances of Patrick Antelmi saw him get his first professional contract at Leeds. He then celebrated by scoring a double in the U-21s. It will be interesting to see if he can step up to the seniors where many an Aussies have played before.