Aussies Abroad: Socceroos return to club action

After an arduous Asian Cup campaign, Australia's players had no time to relax as they returned to their European club sides and back into action.

Aussies abroad

Source: Getty Images

Aaron Mooy appeared to be over his injury woes as he made his first start for Huddersfield since December.

The Socceroos midfield general was a high profile omission from the Asian Cup as he recovered from a serious knee injury.

However, the Terriers' talisman would be overjoyed to clock a full 90 minute performance in Huddersfield's clash against Chelsea.

The result was not as enjoyable for Mooy and Huddersfield as The Blues put five past them in a 5-0 flogging.

Mat Ryan was also in action for Premier League side Brighton and had a solid bounce back performance to keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw against Watford.

While Ryan was rarely troubled in the Seagulls' net, the Socceroos shot stopper was much improved from his showing mid-week where he conceded four goals against relegation battlers Fulham.   

In England's Championship, Jackson Irvine delivered a trademark hard running display for Hull as they defeated Stoke 2-0 to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Irvine played behind the striker as a number 10 creating a number of headaches for the Stoke defence in a full 90 minute performance.

The Socceroos midfielder did collect a yellow card in the 82nd minute for a late tackle.

Massimo Luongo was another Socceroo to return to action as he played 88 minutes in QPR's 2-1 loss to Wigan.

Luongo earned himself a yellow card only minutes into the match before easing into the contest.

He was substituted two minutes before full-time.

Mile Jedinak made a rare albeit brief cameo for Aston Villa as he was brought on as an 89th minute substitute in the Villains 0-0 draw against Reading.

Bailey Wright may have missed out on a spot in the Socceroos Asian Cup squad but he has been a solid performer for his Championship side Bristol City.

The defender played 90 minutes in his side's 2-0 win against Swansea City.

England wasn't the only place Australia's overseas players saw action.

In Scotland, Socceroos captain Mark Milligan marshaled the HIbernian defence as they went down 2-1 to Aberdeen.

It was another tough defeat for Hibs who have struggled in recent weeks with Neil Lennon stepping down as coach after clashing with players.

Elsewhere in Scotland, Oliver Bozanic delivered an inspired 90 minute performance for Hearts as they triumphed 2-1 against Kilmarnock.

The former Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners star was the fulcrum of the Hearts midfield during the win and looks set to further cement his spot in the side.

Ryan McGown also played 90 minutes for Dundee as the shared the spoils 1-1 with Hamilton Academia.

Across the Channel, Socceroos defender Alex Gersbach had an impressive start to life with new Dutch Eredivisie club NAC Breda.

Gersbach played 90 minutes at left back in his side's 3-0 defeat to De Graafschap.

Danny Vukovic started for Belgian side Genk as they claimed a 2-1 win against Waasland-Beveren.

Finally, fringe Socceroo Fran Karacic put in a 90 minute performance for Croatian first division side Lokomotiva Zagreb as they secured a 2-0 win against the  Inter Zapresic side of fellow Australian Steven Lustica.


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3 min read
Published 3 February 2019 10:00am
Updated 3 February 2019 10:04am
By Nick Houghton

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