There were a wide range of emotions for our overseas-based Caltex Socceroos as the final stage of Europe’s leagues got well and truly underway.
It was a gut-wrenching afternoon for Aaron Mooy as Huddersfield Town’s 2-0 loss away to Crystal Palace confirmed their relegation from the Premier League.
CONFIRMED: Australia qualifies for 2020 AFC U-23 Championship
READ: Arnold’s promise for next Caltex Socceroos generation
END OF AN ERA: Cahill confirms playing future
AUSSIES ABROAD: Milligan and Hibs win again
Goals from Luka Milivojevic and Patrick van Aanholt ensured that the Terriers would be the first side relegated in March since Derby over a decade ago.
It was a frustrating afternoon for Mat Ryan in goals for Brighton and Hove Albion as they suffered a 1-0 loss to rivals Southampton despite holding 61 per cent possession and firing off 14 shots to eight.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s goal in the 53rd minute was all that separated the sides at the Falmer Stadium.
There were more positive results in the Championship with Jackson Irvine playing the full 90 minutes as Hull City saw off Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road.
Finally, Massimo Luongo’s Queens Park Rangers suffered a shock loss to cellar-dwellers Bolton at Loftus Road.
The dynamic midfielder played the full match but couldn’t prevent the 2-1 result.
Across the North Sea to Denmark and Awer Mabil was on hand to play 90 minutes in Midtjylland’s opening Danish Superliga play-off round fixture against Nordsjaelland.
The match finished in a goalless stalemate.
In the Bundesliga Mat Leckie continued his return from injury with 15 minutes off the bench for Hertha Berlin.
Unfortunately their match against RB Leipzig finished in a 5-0 loss, putting their European hopes in jeopardy.
Happier news in Belgium with Genk kicking off their Championship round of fixtures with a dominant 3-0 win over Anderlecht with Danny Vukovic earning another clean sheet for the league leaders.
Finally in Europe, Apo Giannou played the full match as AEK Larnaca also began their Championship zone with a win after they saw off Apollon 2-1 in the Cypriot First Division.
To Asia and Mitch Langerak and Nagoya Grampus continued their blistering start to the J-League season with a thumping 4-0 win over Consadole Sapporo.
Andrew Nabbout was absent from Urawa Reds’ matchday squad as they played out a 1-1 draw with FC Tokyo.