Aussies Abroad | Kruse goes close

It was a tough week for the Australian contigent in Europe's biggest leagues.

A late assist from Qantas Socceroos midfielder Robbie Kruse for German club Fortuna Duesseldorf wasn't enough to prevent a 3-2 loss to Bundesliga strugglers Augsburg.

South Korea midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol, 23, gave Augsburg a 2-0 lead at the break when he scored from a tight angle on the stroke of half-time by firing across Fortuna's luckless goalkeeper Fabian Giefer to claim his third goal of the season.

Giefer was exposed twice as he first allowed Augsburg striker Sascha Moelders a simple tap in after the ball rolled through his legs on 40 mins.

Moelders then added Augsburg's third when he charged down Giefer's 71st-minute clearance kick which flew into the Fortuna net.

Kruse helped pull a goal back for Fortuna when his 73rd minute pass was converted by striker Stefan Rensinger, who then netted a second on 91 minutes to set up a tense finale.

Japanese striker Genki Omae came on for his Fortuna debut for the last 20 minutes having joined from J-League side Shimizu S-Pulse.

Elsewhere, Mile Jedinak's Crystal Palace sit in fourth spot after a 0-0 draw with Bolton in the nPower Championship; Neil Kilkenny played 72 minutes for Bristol City in their 1-0 loss to his former side Leeds United, while Rhys Williams and Scott McDonald endured a 1-0 loss to Leicester City.

In Holland, Michael Zullo and Adam Sarota both enjoyed 90 minutes in FC Utrecht's 2-0 win away at FC Groningen, but there was no sign of Tommy Oar.

In the Barclays Premier League, Mark Schwarzer's Fulham lost 2-0 to Manchester City; Adam Federici's Reading enjoyed a 1-0 win away at Newcastle United, while Brett Holman was brought on after 67 minutes for Aston Villa in their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Meanwhile, Turkish Super Lig side Akhisar Belediyespor have signed striker Kerem Bulut on a three-and-a-half year deal.

The former Sydney FC striker moves from Czech Republic top flight side Mlada Boleslav.

David Weiner, Foxsports.com.au