Aussies Abroad | Ryan continues to star in Belgium

Mathew Ryan continued his impressive start to his career in Europe, saving a penalty as Club Brugge beat KAA Gent 3-1.

Mathew Ryan continued his impressive start to his career in Europe, saving a penalty as Club Brugge beat KAA Gent 3-1.

Ryan, looking to lock in the position of Socceroos first choice goalkeeper for the World Cup, faced up to the penalty in the 67th minute.

A goal would have pout KAA Gent back into the contest, but Ryan plunged to his right to make a superb save. The win sent Club Brugge second in the Belgian League and there are reports coming out of Belgium that Ryan will shortly be offered a contract extension, on improved terms.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Tommy Oar played and created a goal as FC Utrecht went down 2-1 away to Go Ahead Eagles. Adam Sarota also started that match and was substituted in the 82nd minute. FC Utrecht are in mid-table.

Also in the Eredivisie Socceroos left back, Jason Davidson, played the full 90 minutes in Heracles Almelo-s 2-2 draw at home to Vitesse Arnhem.

Ben Halloran started for Fortuna Duesseldorf in the 2.Bundesliga, as they went down 2-0 at home to FC Koeln. Halloran played 80 minutes before being substituted.

There was also a rare start for Robbie Kruse, who played until the 78th minute as Bayer Leverkusen went down 1-0 away at Werder Bremen. Leverkusen remain second in the Bundesliga, five points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who had Mitchell Langerak in their squad, though he was an unused substitute.

Also in Germany, Mathew Leckie started for FSV Frankfurt against 1860 Munich. Leckie scored the opening goal in the 21st minute of a thrilling match, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Nikita Rukavytsya came on as a sub for FSV Frankfurt for the final 20 minutes.

Celtic played Hearts in the Scottish Premier League and although Tom Rogic missed the match through injury, Dylan McGowan appeared, playing 90 minutes for Hearts. Although the scores were locked at 0-0 at the break, Celtic pulled away in the second half, winning 2-0.

Finally, there was plenty of action for our Aussies abroad in England.

Scott McDonald was back in the Middlesbrough side for their trip to Millwall. McDonald played 62 minutes before being substituted, Middlesbrough eventually winning 2-0.

Mile Jedinak again captained Crystal Palace, but they couldn-t keep their much improved recent form at home to Newcastle United. Palace was 2-0 down at half time and eventually lost 3-0, with Jedinak playing the full 90 minutes.

Chris Herd-s recent renaissance continued as he played 90 minutes for Aston Villa, though they went down 2-1 away at Stoke City, whilst in the Championship, goalkeepers Alex Cisak and Adam Federici were both unused substitutes.