Aussie trio on target

Socceroos attacking trio of Mark Bresciano, Scott McDonald and Tim Cahill were all on target over the weekend and early this morning in Tim’s case, which will no doubt please national team boss Pim Verbeek.

Socceroos attacking trio of Mark Bresciano, Scott McDonald and Tim Cahill were all on target over the weekend and early this morning in Tim-s case, which will no doubt please national team boss Pim Verbeek.

With the crucial February 11, FIFA World Cup™ qualifier against Japan fast approaching, Verbeek will happy to see his players getting among the goals for their respective clubs.

Bresciano-s double for Palermo was the standout performance, while Cahill was once again the villain among Liverpool supporters, as he scored a late equaliser at Anfield in the local derby. McDonald scored an equaliser for Celtic against Aberdeen, but shortly after Aberdeen struck twice to win 4-2 against the leaders.

Ironically all four goals scored by the Aussie contingent, came from headers. Bresciano opened for the scoring Palermo just before the break with a firm header and then repeated the dose 13 minutes into the second half in almost identical fashion.

Cahill had an earlier headed attempt brilliantly saved by Liverpool keeper Reina, but there was nothing he could do, when Cahill was surprisingly given too much space just a metre out from goal and he whipped in Arteta-s brilliant low free kick.

McDonald, arguably one of the smallest strikers (in height) playing at the highest level of the game, is not renowned as a prolific scorer with his head, but rose superbly to head home and make it 2-2 at Aberdeen. But within five minutes of his equaliser, Aberdeen had scored twice and there was no way back this time.

Socceroos pair Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill faced off at Upton Park, with Neill-s West Ham inflicting a 3-1 defeat upon Schwarzer-s Fulham. Brett Emerton and Vince Grella (last 30 minutes) saw game time, as Blackburn Rovers rallied late to win 3-0 against Newcastle United, who were missing the injured Mark Viduka; while Richard Garcia came on late in Hull City-s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

In Holland, Jason Culina, fresh from announcing his move back to Australia at the end of the season, played a full 90 minutes in PSV Eindhoven-s 1-1 draw at Roda JC, while neither Brett Holman nor James Holland featured in leaders AZ Alkmaar-s 2-0 win away at FC Volendam.