Kick360‘s inaugural Aussies Abroad Team of the Week has a Japanese theme this week with Adam Taggart, Mitch Duke, Mitch Langerak and Peter Cklamovski featuring.
Taggart and Duke both scored for their respective clubs, the latter providing a late equaliser on debut for J-League 2 outfit Fagiano Okayama.
Langerak’s clean sheet helped Nagoya Grampus to a 1-0 win against Shonan Bellmare, whilst Cklamovski has now lead his Montedio Yamagata side to seven wins in a row after beating JEF United 3-1.
Both Awer Mabil and Ryan Strain were in European action in mid-week, but both players were handed 1-0 defeats. Mabil’s FC Midtjylland were beaten at home by PSV Eindhoven, and exit the Champions League qualifiers after a 4-0 aggregate defeat.
He did however provide an assist at the weekend in a 2-0 win over Lawrence Thomas’ Sonderjyske. A 7-2 first leg win for Strain’s Maccabi Haifa meant that even with defeat in the second leg, they move on to the final qualification phase for the European Conference League.
Stoke City’s Harry Souttar had possibly the best week of the overseas Aussie contingent. He made an impact as captain against former club Fleetwood Town in a mid-week Carabao Cup clash by getting on the scoresheet. He then lead a watertight backline in the weekend’s league fixture against Birmingham City, securing a 0-0 draw.
Elsewhere in England, Ryan Williams scored his first goal for Oxford United. His first-half strike helped his new club to a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic.
Denis Genreau was subbed on to make his debut in the 76th minute in Toulouse’s 1-0 win over Bastia. His efforts in seeing out the win helped Le Téfécé to the top of the Ligue 2 table.
Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic go from strength to strength in Scotland, with another win this time inspired by a man-of-the-match display from Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic. He assisted the third goal in a 3-2 win as the Hoops knocked Hearts out of the Scottish League Cup.
Keflavik IF boast both Australians playing professional football in Iceland, and were helped into the quarter-finals of their national cup competition by two goals from Joey Gibbs. Oliver Kelaart also played as they beat Akureyri 3-1.
Finally, a solid defensive display from Brad Smith helped Seattle Sounders to a resounding 3-0 victory over Tigres in the Leagues Cup mid-week
