Qantas Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy scored the decisive goal in helping Nagoya Grampus beat Albirex Niigata 2-1, lifting the side to fifth in the J-League standings on Sunday.
Qantas Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy scored the decisive goal in helping Nagoya Grampus beat Albirex Niigata 2-1, lifting the side to fifth in the J-League standings on Sunday.
Midfielder Mu Kanazaki opened the scoring four minutes into the second half by breaking through the centre of the pitch to net a right footer.
Kennedy headed in a cross from the left by Japan international striker Keiji Tamada for the second goal in the 67th minute before Bruno Lopes scored a consolation in injury time.
In the Barclays Premier League, Tim Cahill was a 58th minute substitute for Marouane Fellaini, while Chris Herd was substituted early in the second half as Aston Villa lost 3-0 to Arsenal.
In the nPower Championship, two saves by Australia goalkeeper Adam Federici helped Reading confirm second place in the Championship. Reading beat play-off contender Blackpool 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.
While the 27-year-old Aussie conceded a 30-yard effort from Lomana Tresor LuaLua in the 41st minute, Reading never looked in doubt, leading from the 30-minute mark.
There was to be no more passing Federici, who saved an impressive Kevin Phillips header in the 58th minute and a Matthew Phillips cross which came right on the full-time whistle.
Reading are now four points clear of West Ham United and trails leader Southampton by five points.
Elsewhere in the Championship Australian players were largely absent through injury including Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams.
The duo both failed to make the team for Middlesbrough which posted a 1-1 result with Bristol City, who had Neil Kilkenny in their line-up.
McDonald has returned to training after medial ligament damage but is still 10 days away from full fitness. Williams' ankle ligament injury remains in plaster, but perhaps only for another 10 days, and he could be back in action two weeks after that, come reports from the club.
Richard Garcia remains out of action for Hull City. The 30-year-old attacking midfielder is back training after about a year out with a knee injury and is confident of a return.
Patrick Kisnorbo remains on the sidelines for Leeds United as does defender Shane Lowry, on loan to Millwall from Aston Villa. Lowry returned to the matchday squad after an ankle injury. Leeds beat Milwall 1-0.
Mile Jedinak started for Crystal Palace against Derby County before being substituted at half time in a tactical reshuffle. Palace scored two late goals but it wasn-t enough to prevent a 3-2 loss.
In the Bundesliga, Nikita Rukavytsya helped Hertha Berlin to a 3-1 victory over Mainz.
The former Perth Glory star crossed to Anis Ben-Hatira who blasted home from seven yards in the 41st minute for Hertha's first away goal in 2012.
Aston Villa bound Brett Holman played 90 minutes as AZ Alkmaar ended three-game losing streak by defeating RKC Waalwijk 1-0 in the Eredivisie.