Both Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat earned their first league wins as head coach of their new clubs.
Postecoglou appears to have unlocked the best of Celtic’s free-flowing attacking football, building on a 4-2 win in the Europa League against FK Jablonec with a 6-0 thrashing of Dundee in the Scottish Premiership. Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic started the league game, and repaid the faith shown in him by his former national team boss by getting on the scoresheet himself.
Elsewhere in Scotland, Martin Boyle scored Hibernian’s opening goal in their 3-0 victory at home to Ross County. On-loan goalkeeper Ashley-Maynard Brewer was an unused substitute for County after his arrival was announced on Friday.
In Japan, Kevin Muscat got off to winning start as Postecoglou’s replacement at Yokohama F. Marinos after an almighty tussle away to Gamba Osaka. The 3-2 win keeps Muscat’s side secure in second place, but still nine points below unbeaten Kawasaki Frontale.
A number of Australians featured as the EFL season kicked off, most notably midfielder Tyrese Francois, who made his first league start for Fulham. The 21-year-old played 83 minutes as the Cottagers opened their return to the Championship with a 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough.
In League One, Ryan Williams made his debut for Oxford United after a summer transfer from Portsmouth. Lining up against him for newly-promoted Cambridge United was Perth-born Jack Iredale, as the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.
Worthy of a special mention is Swindon Town’s Australian owner Clem Morfuni, who joined Robins fans in their celebrations in the away end as his team beat Scunthorpe United 3-1. The opening weekend win takes them to the top of League Two, which – albeit very early days – is something Swindon fans could barely have dreamt of before his arrival as the club fought their survival.
Dean Bouzanis made his League Two debut with Sutton United in a 2-1 defeat to Forest Green Rovers, whilst Australian head coach Jon Brady lead Northampton Town to a 1-0 win on opening day against Port Vale.
Panos Armenakas celebrated his move to second-tier Danish outfit Vendsyssel with a debut goal after just six minutes in a 1-1 draw with Nykobing. Con Ouzinidis came off the bench to make his debut in difficult circumstances for Esbjerg, playing the last 20 minutes of their 5-0 defeat to Lyngby.
Finally, a day to forget in the K-League 2 for Busan’s Ryan Edwards, as he was sent-off for tripping up an attacker running through on goal. Fortunately for Edwards, his side were able to hold on for a draw.
