Aussies Abroad: Sainsbury nets maiden PSV goal, Amini stars in Denmark

Our overseas Australians thrived upon the return of knockout cup action in Europe this morning.

There were first PSV starts for Trent Sainsbury and Aziz Behich, while Tomi Juric made his first appearance of the season for FC Luzern.

Meanwhile, Mustafa Amini continued his sensational form in Denmark.

Read up on a bumper night of action for our Aussies Abroad with a full wrap of the morning’s matches!

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Holland: Sainsbury hits debut goal as PSV cruise

Trent Sainsbury netted his first PSV Eindhoven goal in this morning’s 4-0 Dutch Cup victory at Excelsior.

Sainsbury headed home a Michal Sadílek delivery to double PSV’s lead before half time in what was the defender’s first starting berth since Australia’s 2018 FIFA World Cup™ campaign.

Mark van Bommel also handed a starting debut to Aziz Behich as both Caltex Socceroos defenders went on to complete their first full 90 minutes for the Eredivisie pacesetters.

Denis Genreau was also involved in the Dutch Cup this morning, making a 30 minute second half cameo in PEC Zwolle’s 1-0 win over Staphorst.

Denmark: Amini stars in AGF’s Danish Cup rout

Mustafa Amini enjoyed a sensational morning in the Danish Cup, hitting a brace and grabbing an assist to help AGF defeat Aarhus Fremad 5-1.

The Caltex Socceroos midfielder was suspended for his side’s Danish Superliga triumph over Brondby on the weekend, but returned to the fold to inspire a memorable cup performance.

Amini opened the scoring with a near post header on the cusp of half time before doubling the scores early in the second with a composed finish inside the box.

Europe: Tomi Juric returns from injury

Knee and hamstring injuries have kept Tomi Juric sidelined during FC Luzern’s season so far but the Caltex Socceroos forward made his long-awaited return during the club’s 2-0 defeat to Basel in the Swiss Super League.

Juric arrived into the fray just past the hour mark but was unable to inspire Luzern to a second half comeback.

In Norway, Alex Gersbach could be set to profit from some injury misfortune as Rosenborg defeated Vålerenga 2-0 in the Norwegian Cup.

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Gersbach was thrust into the action after just four minutes following an injury to fullback Birger Meling and completed the remainder of the match as Rosenborg secured their passage through to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Jeggo started for Austria Vienna in a 2-0 win over former club Sturm Graz in the Austrian Cup.

Juric

United Kingdom: Rogic’s Celtic bounce back

Celtic responded from their weekend shock against Kilmarnock with a 1-0 win over St. Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup.

Tom Rogic came on in the 75th minute for Brendan Rodgers’ side, who sealed their passage to the semi-finals with a goal from Leigh Griffiths.

Celtic’s progression could result in an Australian face-off in the semi-finals with Ben Garuccio’s Hearts trumping Motherwell 4-2.

Garuccio was an unused substitute for Craig Levein’s side, for whom Oliver Bozanic was handed a late cameo.

In England, Adam Federici played a full game for Stoke City in a 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.

Rogic