Socceroos Abroad

Socceroos Abroad: Duke scores brace, Iredale in high-stakes relegation play-off

3 min read 24 May 2024

There were some high-flyers in midweek action as some Subway Socceroos prepared for do-or-die clashes.

Mitch Duke continued his fine form, scoring twice in the Japanese League Cup, while John Iredale and James Holland face season-defining matches over the next week.

Here is what is coming up.

Subway Socceroos

On Wednesday night, Mitch Duke (cap #559) proved the difference for Machida Zelvia, notching a first-half brace in a 2-0 win against Kashima Antlers in Round 3 of the Japanese League Cup. The forward should get some more minutes when Machida Zelvia take on Urawa Red Diamonds in J. League at 12:00pm (AEST) on Sunday.

Elsewhere in the competition, Mitch Langerak (cap #566) was not involved for Nagoya Grampus as they defeated Yokohama FC 3-1. Langerak is likely to be the goalkeeper again when Nagoya host Kyoto Sanga on Sunday at 4:00pm (AEST) in J. League.

Also, Thomas Deng (cap #598) came on in the 71st minute of Alibrex Niigata’s 2-0 extra-time win over Blaublitz Akita. The defender could start on Saturday at 5:00pm (AEST) when the side host Avispa Fukuoka back in J. League.

In Norway’s Eliteserien, Nick D’Agostino (cap # 621) and Gianni Stesness (cap #617) played full games for Viking on Tuesday morning, helping them win 3-0 over Sanderfjord. Patrick Yazbek (cap #641) also played 55 minutes for the side. The trio could all start again when Viking host Hamkam on Monday at 1:00am (AEST).

On Wednesday morning, James Holland (cap #508) came on in the 77th minute of Austria Wien’s 2-1 win against Wolfsburger AC to venture into the Austrian Bundesliga ECL play-off final.

John Iredale (cap #640) will face a must-win relegation play-off over two legs with Wehen Wiesbaden against Jahn Regensburg. The side travel to their opponents on Saturday at 4:30am (AEST) before hosting the Wednesday after. The victor over the two legs will play 2. Bundesliga football next season.

Jordan Bos (cap #632) will target another full game for Westerlo as they finish their Belgium First Division A season against OH Leuven on Sunday at 4:30am (AEST).

Alex Gersbach (cap #587) could push for a start when Kalmar FF travel to Malmo on Saturday at 3:00am (AEST) in Sweden’s Allsvenskan.

Harrison Delbridge (cap #623) could earn another start for Incheon United as they welcome Olyroo Alexandar Popovic’s Gwangju on Saturday at 8:00pm (AEST).

Kenny Dougall (cap #608) should start against for Buriram United when they lift the Thai League title against Khonkaen United on Sunday at 9:00pm (AEST).

Brad Smith (cap #575) could get some minutes for Houston Dynamo in their away clash with LA Galaxy on Sunday at 12:30pm (AEST).

Subway Olyroos

In Denmark’s Superligaen, Tyrese Francois picked up an assist in another top performance for Vejle Boldklub as the side downed Hvidovre 2-0 on Monday night. The team could earn a Europa Conference League playoff spot with a win in their final match of the season against Randers on Saturday at 11:00pm (AEST).

In the Canadian Championship quarter-finals, Giuseppe Bovalina played 77 minutes for Vancouver White Caps as they were edged out 1-0 by Cavalry FC on Wednesday afternoon. Bovalina might be back on the bench for Vancouver’s match with Inter Miami on Sunday at 12:30 pm (AEST) in Major League Soccer.

As mentioned, Alexandar Popovic could start for Gwangju against Incheon United on Saturday at 8:00pm (AEST).

In Poland’s 1 Liga, Louis D'Arrigo could play when Lechia Gdanask face Miedz Legnica on Sunday at 11:00 pm (AEST) in their final match of the season after recently securing the title.