Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine are eyeing FA Cup Fourth Round ties as the fabled knockout competition took centre stage in England.
Luongo played a full 90 minutes for Sheffield Wednesday as they upset Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 at the AMEX, with fellow Socceroos Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan rested for the match for the hosts.
Adam Reach was the hero for the Owls as his 65th minute deflected strike secured his side’s first win against top-flight opposition in the competition in 27 years.
The result will prevent Mooy and Ryan from emulating the Seagulls heroic run to the FA Cup Semi Final against Manchester City last year.
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Over at the New York Stadium, Irvine was a 61st minute substitute for Hull City as they advanced with a nervy 3-2 win on the road to League One outfit Rotherham United.
Tom Eaves was the hero for the Tigers with a dramatic injury time winner to seal his hat-trick against a Millers side that fought back from a goal down to take a 2-1 half-time lead despite the 24th minute send off of Adam Thompson.
Harry Souttar’s Fleetwood Town were unable to reach the Fourth Round for the first time after they were eliminated 2-1 by Portsmouth, despite the towering defender's best efforts over the 90 minutes.
Two goals in five minutes from James Bolton and John Marquis did the damage for Pompey, with Conor McAleny netting a late consolation for the hosts at Highbury Stadium.
Elsewhere, Adam Federici was an unused substitute as Stoke City were eliminated 1-0 away to Brentford via Emiliano Marcondes’ 43rd minute winner.
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Frustration for Giannou in Cyprus
In Cyprus, Apostolis Giannou put in a 90 minute shift as his AEK Larnaca side were held to a 0-0 draw with Olympiakos.Giannou was bundled over in the box in the second half but saw his penalty claims waived away to leave his side sitting sixth in the Cypriot First Division.
Maclaren at the double locally
In the Hyundai A-League, Jamie Maclaren netted a brace for Melbourne City in a 3-2 win over Western United that returns him to equal top spot in the race for the golden boot.
Andrew Redmayne also tasted victory in Sydney FC’s 2-1 win over Adelaide United, which saw Rhyan Grant absent for the Sky Blues on suspension.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Duke’s opening goal was not enough for Western Sydney Wanderers as they succumbed 2-1 to Brisbane Roar in the New Year's Day clash.
