Aussies Abroad: Brosque on fire

Qantas Socceroos striker Alex Brosque continued his hot goal-scoring form as his Japanese club, Shimizu S-Pulse, opened their account for the season with a 2-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Qantas Socceroos striker Alex Brosque continued his hot goal-scoring form as his Japanese club, Shimizu S-Pulse, opened their account for the season with a 2-1 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Fresh from his double in Australia's 4-2 success in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia earlier this month, the 28-year-old, who has now scored eight times in 30 J-League appearances, netted the opener on nine minutes as Shimizu brushed aside their opening day 1-0 loss to Nagoya Grampus in impressive fashion.

In the K-League, Matt McKay is getting the consistent game time he was after as his new side, Busan l'Park, drew 2-2 with Pohang Steelers.

McKay, who couldn't get a game at Scottish side Rangers, played the entire 90 minutes and is working into form ahead of Australia's upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

In the Chinese Super League, former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Rostyn Griffiths came off the bench in the second half as Guangzhou R&F retained their unbeaten status with a 2-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande.

Joel Griffiths partnered Nicholas Aneklka up front for Shangahi Shenhua but the former Newcastle Jets striker ended up on the losing side against Beijing Guoan despite converting a penalty.

Jonas Salley scored a rare goal as Shanghai Shenxin beat Henan Jianye 4-0 while Mile Stejovski played up front for Dalian Aerbin in their 3-3 draw with Dalian Shide.

In the Netherlands, Brett Holman's AZ Alkmaar have slipped up at home and let rivals Ajax and PSV Eindhoven make up ground in the title race in the Eredivisie.

A goalless draw against NAC Breda allowed Ajax to move within one point with PSV just a further point behind with eight rounds to play.

The Aston Villa-bound Holman produced a stinging drive in the first half that was dealt with by NAC Breda goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar.

Meanwhile, Qantas Socceroos defender Michael Zullo made his first start for Utrecht in nearly three months as the club halted a three-match run without a win.

The 3-1 home victory over FC Groningen put Utrecht five points clear of the drop zone with a favourable draw to finish the season.

In the FA Cup quarter-finals, a revitalised Tim Cahill kept Everton's campaign alive with an instinctive header in his side's 1-1 draw against Sunderland at Goodison Park.

"I thought Tim was terrific," said Everton assistant manager Steve Round.

"He looked fresh and full of energy. He was a threat in both boxes and he linked us up really well. He deserved his goal."

In the Barclays Premier League, Mark Schwarzer's Fulham crashed to a 3-0 defeat at home to Swansea City and have dropped to 11th on the table.

In the nPower Championship, Adam Federici's Reading are a clear second, and only two points behind leaders Southampton, after a 4-0 demolition of Barnsley.

Promotion is very much on the agenda with just eight games remaining. They have not lost since a 1-0 loss at Hull City on January 21.

In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich monstered Nikita Rukavytsya's Hertha Berlin 6-0 in the German capital.

Carl Valeri's side Sassuolo maintained their drive towards the Serie A in Italy next season with a 3-2 win over Albinoleffe.

They sit just a point outside the automatic promotion spots.