Aussies Abroad: Degenek scores, Jurman's Champions League progression

Caltex Socceroos defender Milos Degenek has struck a crucial goal for his club Yokohama F Marinos to help them progress to the next round of the J.League Cup.

Degenek, who started for the Ange Postecoglou-coached side started the game against J2 League outfit Albirex Niigata, helped his team take the lead in the 14th minute with a strike from outside the box.

After the ball fell to the 24-year-old from a teammate’s knockdown from a wide free kick, Degenek hit his volley into the ground which helped to evade outstretched Niigata legs as well as the goalkeeper as it hit the bottom corner.

 

WATCH DEGENEK'S GOAL IN THE VIDEO BELOW

Although Yokohama have had a tricky start to the league season, their win on Wednesday night ensured they progressed past through Group A in second spot behind Vegalta Sendai.

Two Aussies also saw their clubs in action in the J.League Cup, although neither Andrew Nabbout (Urawa Red Diamonds) or Mitchell Langerak (Nagoya Grampus) saw minutes.

Nabbout’s Urawa side won 1-0 against Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Nagoya Grampus defeated Gamba Osaka, although Nagoya still fall at the group stage.

In the AFC Asian Champions League, Matthew Jurman’s Suwon Bluewings have earned a spot in the quarter-finals after defeating Ulsan Hyundai 3-0 in the second leg.

With Jurman playing a full 90 minutes on the left side of Suwon’s back three, his side overcame a 1-0 first leg deficit to their K.League opponents as Kim Kun-hee’s double and Wagner da Silva Souza’s late strike sealed the win.