Aussies Abroad Wrap: Rukavytsya breaks record, Boyle & King contribute in the final third

Nikita Rukavytsya grabbed a game-winning brace to become Israeli football's foreign goalscoring king, while Martin Boyle found the back of the net and Joel King set up his first goal in Denmark during a big weekend of Aussies Abroad action. 

Watch their highlights in the player above and read on to check out our full Aussies Abroad wrap. 

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England & Scotland

Celtic marched a step closer toward another Scottish Premiership title, after a convincing 3-1 victory away at fifth-placed Livingston. The scoresheet may not reflect his impact, but the 'Wizard from Oz' Tom Rogic was instrumental once again for the Hoops, as the midfielder started the match before being brought off when the result was beyond doubt. The three points were crucial for Celtic's title challenge, as Glasgow rivals Rangers remain hot on their heels.

Kenny Dougall's Blackpool FC went into this season as the Championship's largest underdogs, after securing promotion last campaign through the League One play-offs. Despite expectations of a tough season for the Tangerines, they find themselves just seven points away from a play-off spot to the Premier League, following a late 1-0 victory away at Stoke City.

Dougall started the match and was dominant in the middle of the park, as Stoke were unable to break down the side from the North-West Coast. The 86th-minute winner has seen Blackpool leapfrog Stoke City into 14th on the Championship table.

Blackpool's major sponsors this season reads 'Get Vocal', a fantastic UK campaign to encourage the discussion over mental health. The term now also seems fitting, for a side that is creating plenty of noise amongst England's second division.

 

Germany

Ajdin Hrustic and Eintracht Frankfurt left the German capital this weekend with maximum points, after a dominant 4-1 victory over Hertha Berlin. The Aussie midfielder started the Bundesliga clash from the sidelines, before being introduced with ten minutes to play. Now just seven points from European qualification, the dream of continental competition remains alive for Hrustic and his team.

Meanwhile, FC St Pauli took another valuable three points at home, defeating mid-table outfit Karlsruhe 3-1. Jackson Irvine played out the full 90 minutes for the side from Hamburg, as they continue to put pressure on the two sides above them who sit in the 2. Bundesliga automatic promotion positions.

Brandon Borrello and Dynamo Dresden were not as successful, falling 2-1 to Werder Bremen after taking the lead just two minutes into the match. Borello was not involved in the first hour of play, eventually being substituted on as Dresden desperately fought for a crucial equalising goal.

Rest of Europe

Nikita Rukavytsya helped himself to a historic brace overnight, in a 3-1 home victory for his side Hapoel Be'er Sheva over Hapoel Haifa. The two goals were historic, as it made Rukavytsya the highest-scoring foreign player in Israeli league history. 

Over six-and-a-half campaigns in Israel, the 34-year-old has remarkably built up a total of 88 goals in the domestic league, not to mention goals in cup and continental tournaments. Despite moving across three different clubs during his time on the Mediterranean, the forward still average more than 13 goals a season. Fittingly, the side that he scored against to help break the record was the arch-rival of Maccabi Haifa, the club Rukavytsya spent the longest time playing for.

Joel King continues to build his reputation in Denmark, having not just started his first 3 league matches for Odensk BK, but also got amongst the goals, in a 2-2 draw away at SønderjyskE, the side of fellow Socceroo Lawrence Thomas. The left-back sliced a pinpoint through ball that broke through both the home sides' midfield and defensive lines, to set up teammate Max Fenger for the opening goal.

The 21-year-old currently headlines the recent Olyroos squad from the Tokyo Olympic Games that have made the plunge in Europe and seen immediate rewards for that leap of faith.

 

Trent Sainsbury and his side Kortrijk were incredibly brave in their clash over the weekend, matching it for 85 minutes with inevitable Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, before a late winner saw their hopes dashed.

The Aussie defender played out the full 90 minutes and was under constant attack from a side that has averaged almost three goals a game against the league's top sides alone. Kortrijk looked to have held Union below that total before a long-range strike in the 86th minute broke the deadlock.

Safety seems more than assured for James Jeggo and AS Eupen now, after the team from Belgium's border town wrapped up a memorable 3-1 victory at home to OH Leuven. Jeggo started and finished the match for Eupen, helping his side bounce back from their cup elimination in emphatic style.

Brescia's hope of automatic promotion to Italy's Serie A has taken a hit, after Fran Karacic's team were defeated away from home by promotion rivals Cremonese 2-1. Karacic was involved for the full 90 minutes and was unable to hold out the home side, who have now overtaken Brescia into second place- the crucial last spot for Serie A automatic promotion.

To Turkey now, where Aziz Behich and Giresunspor recorded another important win, defeating Rizespor 2-1 away from home. The match pushed Behich's outfit further above of the bottom four, with ten matches yet to play. Behich was strong at the back, playing 90 minutes and denying the home side any opportunity for a crucial equaliser.

Asia 

Martin Boyle is back amongst the goals once again in Saudi Arabia, with his 18th minute strike proving to be the difference, as Al-Faisaly emerged victorious at home 1-0 over Al-Hazm. 

The result was also significant, as it helps Al-Faisaly push further up the table and create distance between themselves and the league's bottom three teams.

 

Across the Asian continent to Japan, where Mitch Duke was involved in a second victory from three games this campaign as his side Fagiano Okayama collected all three points at Tochigi. The forward was unable to get on the scoresheet but was lively all match, before being brought off in the 76th minute, as Okayama defended their way to victory.

The match ended 1-0 with the lone goal coming from a familiar face for those who watch the A-League Men's competition with ex-Sydney FC Championship winner Jordi Buijs, firing home from a free-kick.

United States

Despite a strong start to the game for Columbus Crew, in which they took the lead on two separate occasions, the Ohio side were eventually pegged back by a 94th minute San Jose Easrthquakes equaliser, with the match in California finishing 3-3. Milos Degenek started in the backline once again and played out a full 90 minutes in the West Coast sun.

The Crew still find themselves in a good position within the MLS Eastern Conference, positioned 3rd, just two points behind leaders New York Red Bulls.

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