Aussies Abroad Preview: Duke fighting for J1 League promotion, Degenek chasing an MLS finals series play-off

The J2 League is beginning to come down to the wire as Mitch Duke and Fagiano Okayama chase promotion while Miloš Degenek's Columbus Crew play their final match with an MLS finals series play-off on the line. 

Check out our preview of all the upcoming Aussies Abroad action! 

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Subway Socceroos and Olyroos Abroad

Asia & The Middle East

Starting in the J2 League, Mitch Duke's Fagiano Okayama face Ventforet Kofu on Sunday at 3:05pm (AEDT) as they chase promotion to the J1 League with three games remaining. 

Fagiano need maximum points from their remaining three games and results to go their way if they are to secure a top-two finish and automatic promotion. A third-place finish will ensure a play off with the third-bottom team from the J1 League. 


Elsewhere in the J2 League, Thomas Deng could be in action when Albirex Niigata take on Vegalta Sendai on Saturday at 4pm (AEDT). 

In the J1 League, Mitch Langerak Nagoya Grampus will face Kyoto Sanga on Saturday at 4pm (AEDT). Nagoya are in tenth position with three games remaining.

Elsewhere in the J1 League, Adam Taggart could line up for Cerezo Osaka when they face Kashiwa Reysol on Saturday at 6pm (AEDT). Cerezo are fourth in the J1 League as they chase a top three finish and an AFC Champions League place. 

In the K1 League, Harrison Delbridge's Incheon United face Gangwon on Saturday at 9pm (AEDT) in a play-off as the Final Rounds continue.

In Qatar, where Trent Sainsbury could be in action when Al-Wakrah face Umm Salal on Saturday at 3am (AEDT). Al-Wakrah are second in the Qatar Stars League with two games remaining. 

The United States

Over to Major League Soccer, where Subway Socceroos defender Miloš Degenek and his Columbus Crew side will play their final match of the season when they face Orlando City on Monday at 5:30am (AEDT). Degenek came off the bench in the 17th minute in a 2-2 draw against Charlotte on Thursday.

Columbus need at least a point to remain in seventh poison and secure their place in the into the finals series play-offs.

United Kingdom

Starting in Scotland, where Keanu Baccus will be hoping to continue his impressive form when St Mirren travel to Rangers on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).  Ryan Strain picked up an injury in St Mirren's 2-1 win over Linginston on Saturday so it is unclear whether he will be fit in time for the clash.


Elsewhere in Scotland, Aaron Mooy could be in action when Celtic travel to Ryan McGowan's St Johnstone on Saturday at 10:30pm (AEDT).  Mooy was absent from Celtic's 3-1 Champions League loss to RB Leipzig on Thursday. 

Aziz Behich could also feature when Dundee United play Aberdeen on Sunday at 4am (AEDT). 

Martin Boyle and Olyroo Lewis Miller's Hibernian will also be in action against Motherwell on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).

Nathaniel Atkinson's Heart of Midlothian will also face Kilmarnock on Monday at 1am (AEDT). Cameron Devlin is suspended for the match due to picking up a red card in Hearts 4-0 loss to Rangers on Saturday. 

Atkinson came on in the 60th minute while Devlin was thrust into the action in the 53rd minute in a 3-0 Europa League loss to Florintena on Friday.

In England, Tom Rogic will be hoping for to make another Championship appearance when West Bromwich Albion face Luton Town on Sunday at 1am (AEDT). Rogic started his first match last weekend and came off the bench in the 58th minute as West Brom lost 1-0 against Preston on Thursday.


Riley McGree's Middlesbrough will also face off against Millwall on Sunday at 1am (AEDT) in the Championship. McGree came off the bench in the 63rd minute as Boro won 1-0 against Birmingham City on Thursday.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Kenny Dougall's Blackpool also take on Watford Sunday at 1am (AEDT) in the Championship while Bailey Wright's Sunderland take on Swansea City on Sunday at 1am (AEDT). Dougall played 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw against Sunderland on Wednesday while Wright as an unused substitute. 

In Olyroos Abroad news, goalkeeper Nick Bilokapic could feature on the bench when Huddersfield face Hull City at 10pm (AEDT) on Sunday. Bilokapic was an unused substitute in a 3-3 draw with Luton Town on Wednesday. 

In League Two, goalkeeper Jacob Chapman could feature for Salford City when they face Northampton Town on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).

After returning from injury, Lachlan Brook could also appear in League Two as Crewe Alexandra take on Gillingham on Sunday at 1am (AEDT). 

Europe

Starting in Denmark, where Mat Ryan's FC Copenhagen take on FC Nordsjælland on Sunday at 4am (AEDT). Ryan was an unused substitute against Manchester City on Thursday as Copenhagen lost 5-0 in their third Champions League match.

Elsewhere in Denmark, Joel King's Odense Boldklub face Silkeborg as they look to move out of the relegation round on Monday at 1am (AEDT). 

In Germany, Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe could be in action when St. Pauli travel to Eintracht Braunschweig on Saturday at 10pm (AEDT).

In Italy, Ajdin Hrustic could be in action when Hellas Verona they take on Salernitana on Sunday at 12am (AEDT) while in Serie B, Fran Karačić and Brescia Calcio face Cittadella on Saturday at 11pm (AEDT). Brescia currently sit in third position on the ladder.

In France, Toulouse and Denis Genreau will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they travel to Lyon on Saturday at 6am (AEDT). 

In Belgium, Jason Davidson and James Jeggo's K.A.S. Eupen face off against Gent on Monday at 1am (AEDT). 


In Spain, Awer Mabil could be in action when Cádiz CF face Espanyol on Monday at 1:15am (AEDT).

Tyrese Francois' HNK Gorica face Rijeka on Monday at 2:10am (AEDT) in the Croatian Football League. 

In Olyroos abroad news, Alou Kuol could also feature for VfB Stuttgart II when they take on Hessen Kassel on Saturday at 11pm (AEDT). 

Meanwhile, Josh Rawlins could be in action for Jong FC Utrecht in the Eerste Divisie on Saturday at 5am (AEDT) when they play Almere. 

Other Aussies in Action

Europe

  • In Austria, James Holland's FK Austria Wien take on Rapid Wein on Monday at 2am (AEDT) in the Austrian Bundesliga. 
  • In France's Ligue 2, Alex Gersbach could be in action for Grenoble Foot 38 against Stade Laval on Sunday at 4am (AEDT). 
  • In Germany, John Iredale's SV Wehen Wiesbaden take on Zwickau on Saturday at 11pm (AEDT) in the 3. Liga.
  • In Croatia, Anthony Kalik's Hajduk Split take on NK Varaždin in the Croatian Football League on Sunday at 4.05am (AEDT) while Deni Juric's HNK Gorica take on Rijeka on Monday at 2:10am (AEDT).
  • In Greece, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos could be in action for PAS Giannina against Atromitos on Tuesday at 2am (AEDT).
  • Bruce Kamau could also be in action when OFI Crete FC face Olympiacos on Monday at 12am (AEDT). 

United Kingdom

  • In Scotland, Dylan McGowan's Kilmarnock face Hearts on Monday at 1am (AEDT). 
  • In the England Championship, Callum Elder's Hull City face Huddersfield on Saturday at 10pm (AEDT).
  • Massimo Luongo could feature for Middlesbrough against Millwall on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).
  • In League One, Caleb Watts could feature for Morecambe against Ipswich Town on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).
  • Elsewhere in League One, Jack Iredale's Bolton Wanderers face Forest Green on Sunday at 1am (AEDT).

Asia & The Middle East

  • In the Israeli Premier League, Nikita Rukavytsya's Maccabi Haifa will be in action against Maccabi Bnei Raina on Sunday at 4:15am (AEDT). 
  • In the K League 1, Alex Grant's Pohang Steelers face Jeju in the play-off on Saturday at 4pm (AEDT). 
  • Stefan Mauk could also be in action in the J2 League when Fagiano Okayama face Ventforet Kofu on Sunday at 3:05pm (AEDT)

Canada

  • In the Canadian Premier League, Louis Lawrie-Lattanzio and Tass Mourdoukoutas could be in action when York United take on Atletico on Monday at 9am (AEDT).