Aussies Abroad - October

In terms of club football, October is the month in which most leagues around the world are on the park playing. There’s been a huge amount of game time for our Aussies Abroad, a much-needed win for Australia and a sprinkling of transfers.

Transfers

Most of the movement this month is in Europe. It seems several players that have represented other nations at youth level were actually born in Australia and remain eligible for the Socceroos. As such those players have been added to the list. Several have also had surgery that will keep them out of the game until next season.

Additions/changes to database

Luke Adams (8 May 1994) - transferred to Derby County, England

Emre Hasan Balci (5 Apr 1987) - transferred to Adana Demirspor, Turkey

Scott Gannon (12 Mar 1988) - transferred to Otago United, New Zealand

Gethin Jones (13 Oct 1995) - transferred to Everton, England

Kevin Oliveira (1 Apr 1991) - transferred to Bustelo, Portugal

Steve Pepper (7 Mar 1994) - transferred to FC Dender, Belgium

Shaun Peta (5 Feb 1989) - transferred to Hawkes Bay United, New Zealand

Ante Rozic (8 Mar 1986) - transferred to Metalurh Zaporizhya, Ukraine

Chris Sullivan (3 Nov 1988) - transferred to Odysseas Kordelio, Greece

Ivan Vujica (20 Apr 1997) - transferred to NK Lokomotiva Zagreb, Croatia

Removed from database

Sam Conway (FK Banik Most) - unsigned, recovering from injury

Ryan Marveggio (SC Telstar) - unsigned, recovering from injury

Mario Piraino (Carpi FC) - unsigned

Club Level

England (Premiership)

Mark Schwarzer celebrated his 40th birthday in October. To celebrate that milestone, his teams (Fulham/Socceroos) went undefeated.

Brett Holman has continued his strong form at Aston Villa, providing numerous assists but still chasing that elusive debut goal.

After a long time out of the game, Brad Jones (Liverpool) has not only returned to the squad, but has started the past two club fixtures. Aussie Chris Herd has also returned to the starting XI after an injury lay-off.

England (Championship)

Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) has played every minute so far this season and continues to wear the captain's armband and scored a great goal during October.

Scott McDonald has been finding the net regularly for Middlesbrough while Shane Lowry continues his strong session at Millwall.

Having spent a lot of time on the bench, Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United) is yet to play a minute of senior football this season.

England (League One)

After a couple of less impressive seasons, stopper Dean Bouzanis (Oldham Athletic) is in form, keeping Alex Cisak on the bench and winning Team of the Week accolades. Shane Cansdell-Sheriff (Preston North End) is playing 90 minutes each week.

England (League Two)

The Aussies in this league all start most fixtures for their respective clubs, including Aaron Downes (Torquay), James Meredith (Bradford City) and Jamie Young (Aldershot).

Italy (Serie A)

Newcomer to the Italian top flight, James Troisi (Atalanta) has now made two starts in his first five appearances.

Italy (Serie C2A)

The football story of 22 year old Christian Esposito is an interesting one; a nasty leg injury in the 2010-2011 pre-season while at a Serie B club, a successful loan spell on his return to football, and ending up at Valle D'Aosta, where he’s again gaining good minutes and scoring. He was touted as a super prospect with both Aussie and Italian scouts monitoring him a few years back. Let’s see what happens during the next few seasons.

Germany (Bundesliga)

Headlines this month must again go to Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf) as his break-out season continues. Nikita Rukavytsya is now putting together a run of starts at Mainz 05.

Netherlands (Eredivisie)

Tthe story here continues to be FC Utrecht. Both Adam Sarota and Tommy Oar are gaining plenty of recognition for their performances. The team is travelling so well that the returning Michael Zullo has found getting minutes near impossible.

Scotland (Premier League)

Transfer rumours surround Ryan McGowan (Hearts) after his consistent club performances and international debut. Eighteen year old keeper Alex Baird continues his apprenticeship at Dundee United, having now sat on the bench for all 11 games.

Croatia ( 1. HNL)

Tomi Juric has just returned to the starting XI at NK Inter Zapresic after making numerous appearances off the bench. Youngster Steve Lustica (Hajduk) continues in the match-day squad but hasn't seen too much action of late as he builds momentum in his season.

Croatia ( 2. HNL)

Young defender Frane Vladislavic is making the most of his loan deal at NK Primorac Stobrec, having now made seven starts.

Austria (Bundesliga)

James Holland continues his great run, having started every game at league-leading Austria Wien. As a bonus, he is back in the fold with the Socceroos.

Serbia (Super Liga)

Defender Matt Byrne (Donji Siem) has got back into the starting line-up while Eli Babalj (Red Star) still searches for his first start after coming off the bench five times.

Russia (Premier League)

After a slow and injury-interrupted start to the season, Luke Wilkshire is back in the starting side at Dinamo Moscow.

Turkey (1.Lig)

Midfielder Emre Balci has been solid for recently promoted Adana Demirspor, having started in four of his six appearances.

Ireland (Premier + First)

We’ll combine both Mark Griffin (Dundalk) and Dylan Mernagh (Waterford United) this month despite being in different divisions. They are currently involved in a promotion/relegation play-off and the first leg ended in a draw. Both players have had very solid seasons, but a lot is at stake in their next match.

Iceland (1. Deild)

Former US college star, Chris Ross (Vikingur Reykjavik) ended the season with nine starts and nearly 800 minutes, but as a striker would be disappointed not to have scored his first goal in the country.

Finland (Kakkonen)

Brad Walker has also completed his first season at EIF, playing the full 90 minutes in his nine starts since August.

Qatar (Stars League)

This league is just commencing its season, with Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), Matt Spiranovic (Al Arabi) and Sasa Ognenovski (Umm Salal) all starting each week.

U.A.E. (UFL)

Goals and playing time typifies the Aussie experience in this league. Socceroos captain Lucas Neill is chalking up the minutes at Al Wasl, while Richard Porta (Dubai Club) and Alex Brosque (Al Ain) are providing the goals.

China (Super League)

Dino Djulbic (Guizhou Renhe) has had a great month, having scored in his past three starts.

Joel Griffiths continues to feature in the star-studded Shanghai Shenhua team and managed to add another two goals to his season tally during October.

Daniel Mullen has cemented his starting role at Dalian Aerbin while Jonas Salley (Shanghai Shenxin) continues his strong season but his club needs an away win in the final game of the season to avoid relegation.

China (League One)

Both Adam Hughes (Harbin Yifeng) and Brendon Santalab (Chongqing Lifan) have now both completed successful seasons on a personal level, however both clubs missed out on promotion.

Korea Republic (K-League)

Yet another solid if not spectacular month for our growing band of Aussies in this league. To pick a standout is difficult, but the well-travelled Eddy Bosnar is nearing 2500 minutes this season for Suwon Bluewings.

Singapore (S.League)

Some 21 starts, nearing the end of the campaign, marks another productive season in Asia for Goran Subara at Balestier Khalsa.

Thailand (Premier League)

Having now completed the season, Alexsander Jovanovic (BEC Tero Sasona) would be happy with his stint after returning from Europe. Having recently turned 23, it will be interesting to see where he pulls on the boots next season.

USA (MLS)

Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls) continues to impress in America. Little-known Melbourne product Andy Rose has now amassed 23 appearances this season at Seattle Sounders. Having appeared in the CONCACAF Champions League several times this season, can any other Aussie claim that honour?

Injuries

While several key players have now returned to the pitch, notable absentees include Rhys Williams (ankle), Josh Kennedy (back) and Neil Kilkenny (hamstring).

Club Competitions

UEFA Champions League

Borussia Dortmund continues to lead Group D with Mitch Langerak warming the bench.

UEFA Europa League

Two starts for goalkeeper Brad Jones at Liverpool as it remains top of its group.

CONCACAF Champions League

Andy Rose started as Seattle Sounders remains well clear in its group.

Socceroos Player of the Month

Although Utrecht only had 3 games in October, Tommy Oar not only played ninety minutes in each game, he has been playing a huge role in delivering outstanding results to his club as it climbs the table – not to mention a little ross to Archie Thompson for the winner in Qatar.