Aussies Abroad Wrap: Duke scores winner in Japan as Rogic earns personal recognition
Mitch Duke made it five goal involvements in five matches, with a headed goal and assist to help push his side up the table in Japan, while Tom Rogic and Celtic are edging closer to the Scottish Premiership after a hard-fought derby draw.
The result came not long after Rogic was nominated for some personal silverware.
Read more about the action overseas in this Monday's Aussies Abroad wrap.
England & Scotland
Celtic FC pushed closer to another Scottish Premiership title despite not getting the desired result against their bitterest of rivals Rangers, with the pair playing out a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park over the weekend. Socceroos midfielder Tom Rogic started the Old Firm Derby on the substitutes bench, before being introduced with half an hour to play as the Hoops attempted to hold on to their narrow lead.
It may not have been a victory for Celtic, but the result keeps them on course for the league title with six points still separating themselves and Rangers in second, with just three matches still to play. If next weekend's results go in Celtic's favour, a win over Nathaniel Atkinson's Hearts may be enough to seal the title. The weekend also saw Rogic nominated for Celtic's Player of the Season to cap off a remarkable seven days, which also included the SPFL Goal of the Season award.
Atkinson and Hearts were unable to add to their winning run after a dogged Ross County side held the Edinburgh outfit to a 0-0 draw. Involved for the entire match, Atkinson grabbed another clean sheet.
Middlesbrough are banging down the door for that final championship play-off position, after a convincing 3-1 victory at home to Stoke City. The result keeps Boro just two points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United, with just one league match to play next weekend. Riley McGree started the match at the Riverside Stadium but was unable to add to his season tally of goals, having already netted two over the past fortnight.
Rest of Europe
Joel King was back in the starting 11 for Danish Superliga side Odense BK as they went seven consecutive matches unbeaten, after a 1-0 victory at home to AGF. The 21-year-old was involved for all 90 minutes, with his return coinciding with OB's first league clean sheet in over 3 months, solidifying King's claim for a permanent left-back position.
In Turkey, Aziz Behich notched up another victory and clean sheet for the season, as his club Giresunspor defeated Adana Demispor 2-0 and secured safety for another season. The Socceroo played out the full 90 minutes once again, with the defender's club celebrating the extension of their stay in Turkey's top flight post-game.
Awer Mabil and Kasimpasa failed to make it seven victories in eight matches in the Turkish Süper Lig, falling to Istanbul Basaksehir 3-2 at home. The Aussie winger started the match, eventually being brought off in the second half before a two goal flurry from their opponents which wrapped up the contest.
A dominant display by Gianni Stensness' Viking Fotballklubb has seen the side from Norway's west coast remain in touch with top spot in the Eliteserien. Stensness started in the backline once again and showed his resilience after falling behind early, before rallying his team to a convincing 5-1 victory over Haugesund - their fourth win in just five league matches.
Asia & The Middle-East
Mitch Duke was back amongst the goals again for Fagiano Okayama, with a precise header and assist that ultimately won the game for his side, 2-1, at home to Tokyo Verdy.
In a pivotal home tie against a fellow promotion hopeful, a tight first half gave way to a free flowing second, with Duke involved in the Okayama opener, deflecting a cross toward his teammate Yudai Tanaka who calmly tucked the ball home from five yards. The second goal in the 57th minute started down the right flank, with winger Ryosuke Kawano floating another cross toward the head of the Socceroo who towered above the Tokyo backline, placing the ball out of reach down toward the keeper's left.