Aussies abroad: Luongo stars, Sainsbury on top in China

There were plenty of strong performances from the Aussie contingent across the globe over the weekend. Here's our wrap of the results.

ENGLAND

Jordan Lyden was handed his first start in the Premier League as Aston Villa hosted AFC Bournemouth at Villa Park. The 20-year-old was subbed at half-time with his side trailing, the relegation bound club going on to lose 2-1. Goalkeeper Adam Federici was again on the bench for the Cherries.

Mile Jedinak helped Crystal Palace all but secure their top-flight status for next season as the Eagles claimed a narrow 1-0 win in a six-pointer against Norwich City. The Socceroos skipper played the duration at Selhurst Park as Palace moved ten points clear of the drop zone with six games to play.

Massimo Luongo set up a last-gasp winner for Queens Park Rangers to see them claim a thrilling 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic in the Championship. The Socceroos midfielder teed up teammate Nasser el Khayati who proceeded to curl the ball into the top corner sending fans into raptures at Loftus Road.

Bailey Wright was in action for Preston North End as they were narrowly beaten 1-0 on the road to second-placed Middlesbrough. Teammate Neil Kilkenny was as unused sub for Preston while Rhys Williams was left out of the match day squad for promotion chasing Boro.

James Meredith continues to play his part in Bradford City’s rise up the table in League One. The defender got through another 90 minutes as Bradford claimed their fourth 1-0 win in a row against Swindon Town. The three points at Valley Parade moves them up to third in the standings.

SCOTLAND

Scott McDonald scored an equaliser for Motherwell against SPL Champions Celtic. The former Socceroos striker applied a thumping finish on the hour mark having earlier had a goal controversially struck off for off-side. However Celtic went on to claim the match 2-1 after Tom Rogic came on as a second half sub for the Bhoys.

Jackson Irvine missed Ross County’s important home clash with Partick Thistle due to an ankle injury but the Staggies were able to get the job done without their SPL Player of the Month. Ross County notched a 1-0 win on the final matchday to secure a place in the league’s top six. Olyroo Ryan Edwards played a full match for the visitors, who were consigned to the bottom six as the league now splits in two.

EUROPE

Mathew Leckie was a second half substitute for FC Ingolstadt as they edged Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 in the Bundesliga. Leckie’s German side remain ninth in the standings with five games to play.

Chris Ikonomidis played the first half of US Salernitana’s 3-2 win over Latina Calcio in Italy’s Serie B.

Tomi Juric was a late substitute for Roda JC as they were soundly beaten 3-1 by PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie.

ASIA

Socceroos defenders Trent Sainsbury and Ryan McGowan locked horns in a top of the table clash in the Chinese Super League. Sainsbury’s Jiangsu Suning took home the three points following a 1-0 win against McGowan’s Henan Jianye, continuing their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Apostolos Giannou was up front for Guangzhou R&F as they were forced to settle for a point at home against Yanbian Funde following a 0-0 result.

Jared Lum has lifted Hong Kong’s League Cup trophy with Kitchee SC following their convincing 3-0 win in the final against Ryan Griffiths’ South China.

Adrian Leijer was in defence for Suwon FC as they fought back from a goal down to claim a point away to Sangji Sangmu in the K-League.

Mark Milligan scored his third goal for Baniyas SC to help his side to a 2-1 win over Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League.

Elsewhere in the UAE Brett Holman toiled hard for Emirates Club as his side played out a goalless draw with Wahda Abu Dhabi.

Finally in Malaysia Joel Chianese and Andrew Nabbout were both on the scoresheet as Negeri Sembilan claimed a 4-3 win over PKNS FC, with Taylor Regan also featuring for the home side who remain second in the league.