In a major boost for the Caltex Socceroos less than two months out from the FIFA World Cup, defender Matt Jurman has made his return to action in the K-League.
Injury has kept Jurman side-lined from club action for almost six months but he returned on Wednesday night as his Suwon Bluewings' beat Gyeongnam 3-1.
The 28-year-old centre-back played the full match for the Bluewings’ which is sure to please Caltex Socceroos boss Bert van Marwijk.
Jurman is likely to be a key defender for Australia at the World Cup in Russia and was a part of van Marwijk’s first squad for friendlies against Norway and Colombia last month.
While he didn’t feature in either match, the former Sydney FC and Brisbane Roar defender’s inclusion in that squad shows he’s firmly on van Marwijk’s radar.
Elsewhere in Korea, defender Connor Chapman put in another full shift as Pohang Steelers lost 1-0 against Aleksandar Jovanovic’s Jeju United.
Kwabena Appiah also got through 90 minutes and assisted for Incheon’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Ulsan Hyundai.
Defenders Dylan McGowan and Tomi Mrcela also saw game time but suffered defeats with Gangwon and Jeonnam respectively.
In the J-League, Mitch Langerak was in goal as Nagoya Grampus lost 3-1 against Shimizu S-Pulse, in which Mitch Duke played the last 15 minutes for the visitors.
Andrew Nabbout watched from the bench as his Urawa Reds lost 1-0 to Kashiwa Reysol, while Milos Degenek also failed to get on as his Yokohama F.Marinos lost 2-1 to Consadole Sapporo.
