Ryan’s insane double save in losing cause against Barcelona
He might not have been victorious, but Aussie goalkeeper Maty Ryan at least emerged from a game against Barcelona with an enhanced reputation after a strong showing between the sticks for Levante.
His side went down 3-0 as Barca put on a footballing masterclass, but it would have been much worse if not for Ryan, who pulled off one of the most incredible double saves you’ll ever see to deny Barcelona a fourth goal. Check it out below.
Ryan was the standout performer in an otherwise difficult evening for Levante, recording six saves against a star-studded attack featuring the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphina and Robert Lewandowski.
Bos adds to his highlights reel for Feyenoord, all-Aussie centre midfield for Heracles
Jordy Bos’s brilliant season in the Netherlands continued on Monday morning AEDT, recording two assists in Feyenoord’s 2-1 win over Telstar.
Usually deployed as a left back, Bos played in a more advanced role for Robin van Persie’s side and the move had the desired effect, with Bos wreaking havoc on the right side of Telstar’s defence.
He set up both goals scored by striker Anis Hadj Moussa, who in fairness still had plenty of work to do on both occasions, but finished with aplomb.
Bos now has six assists in the Eredivise this season, to go with his three goals, with the result meaning Feyenoord are 14 points behind PSV on the ladder.
Elsewhere in the Netherlands, the impact of former Adelaide United technical director Ernest Faber was clear to see in Heracles’ game against Go Ahead Eagles, with Australian pair Ajdin Hrustic and Rhys Bozinovski starting alongside each other in central midfield for Heracles.
Unfortunately it wasn’t a happy outing for the Aussie duo, with Heracles copping a 4-0 hammering.
Adding to the Australian theme of the game, one of the goals scored by Go Ahead Eagles came from Melle Meulensteen, son of former Socceroos assistant coach Rene Meulensteen.
Bozinovski was making first start for the Dutch club since joining from Perth Glory, having been signed as part of Faber’s push to turn Heracles into a regular stopping point for young Australian talent.
Irvine leads St Pauli to critical victory
In Germany, Jackson Irvine captained St Pauli to a massively important 2-1 win over Werder Bremen on Monday morning AEDT.
It was a true relegation six-pointer, with the result lifting St Pauli out of the relegation zone and pushing Werder Bremen down into it.
Irvine is now back to his usual influential self as the leader of the Hamburg-based club, having battled his way back to fitness following a tough run with injury that at one stage looked like it could threaten his participation in this year’s World Cup.
His teammate for club and country, Connor Metcalfe, is on that journey right now, left out of the matchday squad as he continues to struggle with a knee problem.
Aussies help Hibs stun Celtic
There were three Aussies involved in the most significant result in the Scottish Premiership this morning, with Martin Boyle wearing the captain’s armband for Hibernian as they beat Celtic 2-1.
The veteran forward had a couple of gilt-edged chances to score but was denied by Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, before being replaced around the hour mark by Socceroos hopeful Ante Suto.
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Australian defender Jack Iredale played the full 90 minutes in a result that means Hearts now have a four point lead at the top of the ladder.