Aussies Abroad: Missed opportunity for Luongo, Irvine in the Championship

It was a night of frustration for a couple of promotion-chasing Caltex Socceroos in the English Championship on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Massimo Luongo’s Queens Park Rangers travelled to Bristol City and looked on course for a crucial win as Matt Smith’s goal had them leading 1-0 at the break.

But Steve McClaren’s men were unable to withstand an onslaught from the home side in the second half, with Niclas Eliasson equalising 17 minutes from time before some late drama.

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City were awarded a stoppage-time penalty which Famara Diedhiou converted to consign QPR to defeat to keep the London club in 15th spot and seriously dent their playoff hopes.

Luongo again played the full 90 minutes, as did fellow Caltex Socceroo Jackson Irvine in Hull City’s 2-2 draw against Rotherham United.

The Tigers, who have surged into playoff calculations in recent months, looked on course for another three points as they scored twice in the first 23 minutes at the KCOM Stadium.

But all their good work was undone within 10 minutes at the start of the second half as Rotherham scored twice in quick succession to come away with a point.


Irvine went close to winning it for his side at the end when a cross found the head of the Australian but his effort was unable to find the target.

The result means Hull City now sit in 12th spot on the Championship ladder and seven points outside the playoff places.

Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, Milos Degenek’s dream start to life at Al Hilal has continued as his side registered an emphatic 4-1 win over Al Quadisiya.

The Caltex Socceroos defender played another 90 minutes, with Italian international Sebastian Giovinco coming off the bench to score one of Al Hilal’s goals.

The victory maintains Al Hilal’s six-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League from Brad Jones’ Al Nassr, who also prevailed 2-1 on Wednesday morning.

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This article was originally published on the Socceroos website.
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