Socceroo wrap: Burns stars, Mile benched, Spira plays

Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak was an unused sub in the EPL on Sunday but over in the J-League, striker Nathan Burns stole the show and Matt Spiranovic played 90 minutes in the Chinese Super League.

Burns, a recent acquisition for Tokyo FC, set-up one and scored a beauty to help his in-form J-League side to a 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka. The reigning Hyundai A-League player of the year was subbed off late in the game. 

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Former Mariner Mitch Duke played a full game for Shimizu in their 1-1 draw with Albirex Niigata.

And in the Chinese Super League, Socceroo defender Matt Spiranovic played 90 minutes in Hangzhou’s 2-1 loss to Dario Conca’s Shanghai SIPG, coached by Sven Goran Erikssen.

In the English Premier League, Socceroo captain Mile Jedinak watched on from the bench as an unused sub as his Palace lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal.

Meanwhile, there’s been a setback for the Socceroos’ Perth-born defender Trent Sainsbury.

A reported hamstring injury could scupper the PEC Zwolle defender’s chances of playing in next month’s clashes against Bangladesh in Perth and Tajikistan away in 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Qualifiers.

And injury has kept Socceroo keeper Mitchell Langerak out of his new club Stuttgart’s season opener in the Bundesliga against Cologne.