Aussies abroad: Kruse, Cahill, Amini!

Robbie Kruse made his first return to action for German club Bayer Leverkusen on the weekend. But there’s more with Musti Amini in action, Brillante starring and Tim Cahill in the headlines…

Kruse came on in the 79th minute of Leverkusen’s pre-season friendly against Alemannia Aachen, which finished 1-1.

It’s the 25-year-old’s first bit of match time since he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in training in January, which forced him to miss the recent FIFA World Cup.

But the former Hyundai A-League star’s return is a strong indication he is nearing full fitness, which is great news for Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou ahead of January’s Asian Cup.

Kruse was one of a host of Australian players who were in action over the weekend as their club side’s get set for their upcoming domestic campaigns.

Tim Cahill left quite an impression on Arsenal – and their midfielder Jack Wilkshire – as New York Red Bulls beat EPL giants Arsenal 1-0 in the US, thanks to a goal from Bradley Wright-Phillips.

It was some weekend for Cahill who also got to carry the Australian flag for boxer Daniel Geale ahead of his fight at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Former Perth Glory flyer Ryan Edwards continues to impress in the pre-season back at Championship club Reading.

Edwards set up the second goal for fellow youngster Jake Taylor as the Royals beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-0.

Goal-keeper Adam Federici also started that match for Reading and also performed strongly, as he tries to force his way back into national team calculations.

Fellow shot-stopper Mitch Langerak came on for Borrusia Dortmund at half-time of his side’s 5-1 win over RW Essen, keeping a clean sheet.

Former Central Coast midfielder Mustafa Amini also made a rare appearance for the Dortmund first-team, playing the last 17 minutes of that match.

Chris Herd got through 90 minutes as Aston Villa ended their US tour with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo while youngster Chris Ikonomidis had a memorable debut for Lazio, scoring in their 10-0 win over Asiago.

Josh Brillante continues to shine in his early days at Fiorentina, impressing many with his assured 90-minute effort in the Viola’s 1-0 win over Estudiantes on Saturday.

But the news wasn’t so good for Oliver Bozanic’s FC Luzern, who were dumped out of the Europa League qualifiers on penalties by Scottish club St Johnstone.