Socceroos Abroad: Irvine's St Pauli chase three straight wins, Matthews solid on debut

Another action-packed week awaits for our Socceroos Abroad, as Jackson Irvine's St Pauli aim for three consecutive wins in a critical clash, while Hayden Matthews could earn another start after his impressive midweek debut.

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Catch up on all of the mid-week action and find out what is to come! 

Subway Socceroos

Starting in the English Championship, where Hayden Mathews (cap #648) made his debut for Portsmouth in a 1-0 loss to Millwall on Wednesday. Mathews played 78 minutes as Pompey suffered defeat, leaving them two points above the relegation zone.


Matthews and Pompey agreed to a four-and-a-half-year contract until the end of the 2028/29 season.

While the price has been undisclosed, the move is the third-highest transfer fee received for an Australian side in Isuzu UTE A-League history behind Nestory Irankunda (Bayern Munich) and Marco Tilio (Celtic FC).

The 20-year-old became Subway Socceroo cap no. 648 when he made his starting debut away at Bahrain late last year and now joins the growing contingent of Aussies who ply their trade at the EFL Championship club.

He is likely to appear again when Portsmouth face Burnley on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).

Elsewhere in the English Championship, Riley McGree (cap #509) has missed the last three Middlesbrough matches with a minor injury, but the extended break to the Sunderland game on Tuesday at 7am (AEDT) could mean he is able to play some part.

Callum Elder (cap #614) could also feature for Derby County on Sunday at 2am (AEDT) when they face Sheffield United.

Alex Robertson's (cap #630) Cardiff City also face Leeds United at the same time. 

In England's League One, Gethin Jones (cap #639) played a full game for Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday in a 3-1 win over Northampton Town FC. They face Reading on Sunday at 2am (AEDT). 

Samuel Silvera (cap #634) was an unused substitute for Blackpool in a 2-0 win over Lincoln City FC on Wednesday. They return to action on Sunday at 2am (AEDT) against Charlton Athletic FC.

In transfer news, Joe Gauci (cap #631) signed on loan for League One club Barnsley from the Premier League's Aston Villa as he seeks regular playing time. He played in both of Villa's Carabao Cup ties before Christmas but will now spend the next few months at Oakwell.


Barnsley are ninth in League One, two points outside the play-offs. They face Burton Albion FC on Saturday at 11:30pm (AEDT).

In Saudi Arabia, Craig Goodwin (cap #562) played a full game for Al-Wehda in a 1-0 loss against Al-Riyadh SC on Friday.

In France, Mathew Ryan (cap #555) is in line to make his second appearance for RC Lens when they face Montpellier Hérault SC on Saturday at 6:45am (AEDT).

Ryan debuted last weekend and kept a clean sheet as they beat Angers 1-0. 


Elsewhere in Ligue 1, Denis Genreau (cap #610) should feature for Toulouse FC when they host OGC Nice on Monday at 1am (AEDT).

In the German Bundesliga, Jackson Irvine (cap #568) should feature for St. Pauli when they face FC Augsburg on Sunday at 1:30am (AEDT). St Pauli sit 13th in the league while Augsburg occupy 12th. 

In the Belgian First Division A, Jordan Bos (cap #632) could start for Westerlo when they face fellow relegation candidates KV Kortrijk Genk on Monday at 5:15am (AEDT).

Also in the competition, Aiden O’Neill (cap #629) could return for Standard Liege when they travel to Cercle Brugge KSV on Sunday at 4:15am (AEDT).

In Scotland, Cameron Devlin (cap #625) could be in action for Hearts when they host Kilmarnock on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).

Also, Martin Boyle (cap #599) and Lewis Miller (cap #635) should feature for Hibernian when they host Aberdeen FC on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).

Elsewhere, Josh Nisbet’s (cap #642) Ross County travel to Rangers on Monday at 2am (AEDT).

In the Scottish Championship, Ryan McGowan (cap #546) could feature for Livingston when they face Falkirk FC on Saturday at 6:45am (AEDT).

Dylan McGowan's (cap #590) Hamilton Academical also host Ayr United FC on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).

Max Balard might start for NAC Breda as they host Heracles Almelo on Saturday at 6am (AEDT) in Eredivisie.

In Italy, Ajdin Hrustic (cap #589) could also appear for U.S. Salernitana 1919 on Monday at 1am (AEDT) in Serie B when they face US Cremonese.

In transfer news, Milos Degenek (cap #585) has signed for fellow Serbian Superliga club FK TSC Bačka Topola, following his recent mutual contract termination with Crvena zvezda. 

In an interesting twist, Degenek could make his debut for TSC against his former club on Monday at 2am (AEDT). 


In Switzerland, Nestory Irankunda (cap #643) could feature for Grasshopper when they face Servette FC on Sunday at 6:30am (AEDT).

In the Thai League, Kenny Dougall (cap #608) is likely to start for Buriram United when they face Port FC on Sunday at 11pm (AEDT).

In the Indian Super League, Dimitri Petratos (cap #593), Jamie Maclaren (cap #584) and Jason Cummings (cap #626) are all likely to appear for Mohun Bagan SG again when they face Mohammedan SC on Sunday at 1am (AEDT). 

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Subway Olyroos

Starting in the Championship, where Thomas Waddingham made another appearance off the bench for Portsmouth on Wednesday. The striker came off the bench in the 79th minute as Pompey went in search of a goal but it was not to be as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Millwall.

He is likely to appear again when Portsmouth face Burnley on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).

In Scotland, Nectarios Triantis might start when Hibernian host Aberdeen FC on Sunday at 2am (AEDT).