Aussies abroad: Jedinak into FA Cup final

Caltex Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has led Crystal Palace to an FA Cup final meeting with Manchester United as his side defeated Watford 2-1 at Wembley.

Jedinak played a full match as Palace overcame Watford thanks to goals from Yannick Bolasie and Connor Wickham. 

The Australian defensive midfielder impressing with his aerial dominance and how he shut down the likes of Ben Watson in the middle of the park.

Palace hit the front after just five minutes through Bolasie but Watford equalised in the 55th minute through Troy Deeney.

But Palace hit back almost immediately with Wickham hitting the back of the net in the 61st minute.

Mile Jedinak

Sunday's victory means the 2016 FA Cup final will be a rematch of 1990 decider - Palace's only previous appearance.

In 1990, the score was locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes with Palace edging ahead early in extra-time thanks to a goal from Ian Wright before Mark Hughes levelled for United again to force a replay.

United and Palace met again five days later with Lee Martin scoring the only goal the Manchester-based club prevailed 1-0.

North of the border, Celtic started the Scottish Premiership's second phase by being held to a 1-1 draw with Ross County with two Socceroos involved.

Tom Rogic played 64 minutes for Celtic, who led 1-0 at half-time, but the hosts couldn't hold on in Glasgow as Ross County, including Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine, fought back for a point.

Jackson Irvine set up the first goal in Ross County's 2-1 League Cup win over Hibernian.

Irvine completed a full shift for the visitors.

EUROPE

In Italy's Serie B, Socceroos winger Chris Ikonomidis was substituted in the 54th minute as Salernitana defeated Livorno 3-1.

Alex Gersbach also tasted victory in Norway as he played 90 minutes in Rosenborg's 4-0 triumph over Viking, while further south in Denmark, Brent McGrath provided an assist for a goal as FC Fredericia defeated Helsingor 2-1 to keep their slim promotion hopes alive.

Nikita Rukavytsya completed a full shift as Beitar Jerusalem lost 1-0 to Maccabi Haifa in Israel, while in Croatia, Anthony Kalik also played a full match in Hajduk Split's 2-1 loss to Rijeka.

ASIA

In the J.League, Billy Celeski played 90 minutes as Ventforet Kofu drew 1-1 with FC Tokyo, while Nathan Burns was also involved for the latter club, coming off in the 62nd minute.

Aleksandar Jovanovic had a tough day in the Chinese Super League, playing from start to finish as Tianjin Teda were crushed 4-0 by Guangzhou Evergrande.