Aussies abroad: Yin and yang for Cahill in China

Tim Cahill has continued his mid–season resurgence, finding the back of the net for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League overnight.

The Socceroos striker scored the opener on the hour mark against Tianjin Taida but unfortunately it was cancelled out 14 minutes from time as his side had to settle for a 1-1 result on their travels.

Adding to the pain, Cahill was on the receiving end of a painful backheel kick to the groin from defender Lucas Fonseca, which forced him to the sideline but he was able to complete the match.

On a brighter note the goal was the fourth in five games for the 35-year-old as Shanghai Shenhua remained seventh in the standings.

In Japan, Nathan Burns made his club debut for FC Tokyo on the opening matchday of the second stage in the J-League.

The striker was introduced on the hour mark but couldn’t prevent his side succumbing to a 2-0 defeat away to Kawasaki Frontale.

Elsewhere in Japan, former Mariner Mitch Duke played a full match for Shimizu S-Pulse as they were on the receiving end of a 5-0 drubbing from Vissel Kobe.

In the Korea Republic, Alex Wilkinson was a mainstay in defence for Jeonbuk as they claimed a comfortable 3-0 win to maintain top spot in the K-League.

Meanwhile in China former Victory skipper Adrian Leijer also played the 90 minutes in Chongqing Lifan’s 1-1 result.

In England numerous other Socceroos returned to the playing field in club friendlies, with a couple of players donning their new club’s colours for the first time.

Massimo Luongo, Jason Davidson, Bailey Wright and Adam Taggart all played half a game with mixed results but more importantly came through their first hit-out of the season unscathed.

In Denmark Mustafa Amini was rested from Randers pre-season match against Viborg, but former Perth Glory keeper Jack Duncan was handed a start and kept a cleansheet in the goalless stalemate.