Martin Boyle continued to build match fitness ahead of the Caltex Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2022™ qualifier in Jordan with a cameo for Scottish Premier League outfit Hibernian.
The 26-year-old made his fourth substitute appearance since returning from a three-month absence after he was sidelined with a knee injury sustained in pre-season in July.
Hibs claimed a 4-1 victory on the road against St Johnstone to climb to eighth place in the SPL ladder, with Boyle coming on in the 82nd minute at McDiarmid Park.
Welsh striker Christian Doidge scored a hat-trick to put Hibs in a commanding position, while Scott Allan added another, before Stevie May grabbed a late consolation for the home side.
Boyle was recalled to Graham Arnold’s Caltex Socceroos squad for their fourth FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan in Amman on Friday, 15 November AEDT.
Arnold admitted he will look to use Boyle as an impact sub in the Middle East as Australia seek their fourth straight victory in Group B of the second round of AFC qualifying for Qatar 2022.
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Hrustic and Groningen’s fine form continues
Ajdin Hrustic helped Groningen FC make it four wins in five league matches to continue their rise up the Dutch Eredivisie.
The three-cap Caltex Socceroo started on the right of the Green-White Army’s midfield in a 2-1 victory at Vitesse Arnhem, who have recently signed for Melbourne Victory playmaker Keisuke Honda.
Sweden under-21 international Joel Asoro struck twice in the first-half at the Gelredome, before Bryan Linssen hit back, but the visitors held on to secure three points.
Hrustic played 66 minutes before being replaced by Charlison Benschop as Danny Buijs’ side racked up 13 points from their last 15 available in the Netherlands.
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Irvine and Hull suffer setback
Hull City’s three-match winning run came to a halt when West Bromwich Albion clinched a 1-0 win over Jackson Irvine’s team.
Jake Livermore’s 28th-minute goal proved decisive for the English Championship leaders at KC Stadium as the Tigers slip to 12th in the table.
Irvine came close to netting an equaliser but Baggies goalkeeper Sam Johnstone denied the Caltex Socceroos midfielder before half-time.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Stoke City sealed a 4-2 win against Barnsley as the league’s bottom two clubs faced off at Oakwell.
Uncapped Aussie, Kenny Dougall, playing 90 minutes for the Tykes, while fellow recent call-up Adam Federici was an unused substitute for the Potters.
In Germany, Matthew Leckie came on in the 87th minute for Hertha Berlin in a 4-2 home defeat against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga.
