After two successful home games, the Socceroos scattered around the globe back to club football. The draw for the next phase of World Cup qualifiers is just over a week away and the players will likely have one eye on that next week.
In the meantime, the European based players will either be trying to drive their side to honours, battling in the midst of a relegation scrap, or something in between.
Alex Gersbach – Rosenborg BK
The young full back did not take place in his side’s 2-0 victory over Valerenga in the Norwegian Eliteserien. This is likely due to the lengthy travel he undertook to get back to his club side and not being able to turn around in time for the match. Before the international break Gersbach managed 90 minutes on debut in the 1-0 victory over Stromsgodset.
As he becomes more comfortable in his new environment he will feature more for his side and continue his development as he tries to get onto the pitch for the Socceroos against England and/or Greece.
Apostolos Giannou – Guangzhou R&F
It was not a happy return for Apo Giannou as his Chinese side Guangzhou R&F went down to local rivals Guangzhou Evergrande. Giannou was substituted on after an hour for the Brazillian Bruninho as the side tried to overcome a 1-0 deficit. Jackson Martinez doubled the advantage with ten minutes to play. Giannou managed to pick up a late yellow card as well just for good measure.
Tom Rogic – Celtic
After helping tear through the Jordanian defenders on Tuesday night, Rogic was back on the pitch starting for Celtic on Saturday night. After going down early, he helped Celtic responed with two goals before half time including tallying an assist on one. Unfortunately it was a short stint for Rogic as he was withdrawn due to a head injury and did not play the second half. Subsequently, he was ruled out to face Dundee United
Tom Rogic confirms he won't play tonight pic.twitter.com/ffNWOWU78z
— Read Celtic (@ReadCeltic) April 5, 2016
Without the guile of Rogic, Celtic could only muster a tame 0-0 draw, with Aberdeen only five points behind the Glasgow outfit.
Terry Antonis – PAOK FC
It is worth checking in on the injured players that were unable to make the trip to Australia. Antonis’s back was healthy enough to place him on the bench for PAOK’s trip to Panionios and he even made it on the field late in the game. With the team down 3-1 at that point, his ipact was minimal it is good to see it was nothing serious that kept him from playing for the Socceroos.
Matthew Spiranovic/Tim Cahill – Hangzhou Greentown
Starting in central defence for his side after missing the Socceroos game, Spiranovic helped keep a clean sheet on the back of two early goals against Shandong Luneng.. Much like Antonis, many people will be pleased to see that the injury that kept him from playing over Easter is not going to cause any long term problems.
Cahill was involved as a halftime substitute but failed to get on the scoresheet.
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