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Roo radar: James Troisi and Oliver Bozanic score stunners, birthday boy Tim Cahill goes on safari

ROO RADAR: James Troisi and Oliver Bozanic score stunners to warm Ange Postecoglou’s heart in a week the Socceroos mentor picked his Asian Cup squad.

3 min read
December 9, 2014 - 10:31AM
Roo Radar: Troisi rocket, Cahill chases big cats
Roo Radar: Troisi rocket, Cahill chases big cats

WHAT a last few days it’s been for James Troisi.

His club Zulte Waregem might be struggling in Belgium, but they can’t blame the Aussie, who’s been in superb touch since arriving in August.

On Monday morning the 26-year-old added another highlight to his impressive showreel, scoring a stunning goal from just beyond halfway over the head of Socceroos compatriot Mat Ryan in the Club Brugge goal.

It was Ryan who would have the last laugh though, Brugge holding out for a 2-1 win to stay top of the Pro League standings after 18 games.

Hours later it got even better for the pair who were, as expected, named in Ange Postecoglou’s preliminary 46-man Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup.

Langerak serenaded by Dortmund fans

Borussia Dortmund’s pain in the Bundesliga became Mitch Langerak’s gain, as the Aussie replaced Roman Weidenfeller in goal for the league visit of Hoffenheim at the weekend.

It was just his 22nd appearance since moving to the club four years ago.

The move worked a treat as the Socceroos shot-stopper kept a clean sheet and Dortmund won 1-0 to stop the rot of eight losses in the first 13 league matches of the season.

The home fans certainly appreciated Langerak — performing a rendition of Men at Work’s ‘Land Down Under’ for the Aussie during the warm-ups.

“I’m delighted we won today and of course because we kept a clean sheet,” Langerak was quoted as saying by the Bundesliga website.

“I was a bit surprised to play tonight — I only found out today I’d play and I’m very pleased with how it went.”

Coach Jurgen Klopp is refusing to reveal who he will pick for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Anderlecht, but says he has full faith in the 26-year-old Australian.

“I wanted the freshness and the fun Mitchell Langerak brings and it was a good decision to put him in goal,” Klopp said of the ex-Melbourne Victory man.

“Who will be in goal for the next game will be a gut decision again.”

Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak finally saw some game time for Dortmund.
Goalkeeper Mitch Langerak finally saw some game time for Dortmund.

Elsewhere in Germany, Robbie Kruse got some rare minutes for Bayer Leverkusen, coming off the bench to play the final 15 minutes. Unfortunately for the winger — also selected in Ange’s squad on Monday — he couldn’t have an effect as Bayern ran out 1-0 winners.

In the second division, Ben Halloran scored against Sandhausen, but it wasn’t enough as Fortuna Dusseldorf were beaten 3-1, while Mathew Leckie played a full game as leaders Ingolstadt won away to Red Bull Leipzig.

Premier League

Brad Jones still can’t get a look in at Liverpool, despite Simon Mignolet’s poor run of form on Merseyside, while Jason Davidson continues to go unsighted at West Brom.

Mile Jedinak couldn’t extend his goalscoring run for Crystal Palace, but played a key role as the Eagles picked up a priceless point away to Tottenham courtesy of a 0-0 draw.

Mile Jedinak on the ball for Crystal Palace against Tottenham.
Mile Jedinak on the ball for Crystal Palace against Tottenham.

England lower leagues

Scott McDonald found the back of the net for Millwall, but it was scant consolation, as the Lions were savaged 5-1 by his former side Middlesbrough.

The news was better for Reading gloveman Adam Federici, who kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 stalemate with Bolton.

Rest of Europe

Elsewhere across the continent over the weekend, James Holland played the full 90 as Austria Wien copped a heavy loss at home, Swiss pair Dario Vidosic (FC Sion) and Oliver Bozanic (Luzern) also tasted defeat, while Trent Sainsbury’s Dutch club PEC Zwolle picked up a win.

Earlier in the week Oliver Bozanic scored this wondergoal.

Aziz Behich was rather pumped after helping Bursaspor wallop Kasımpasa 5-1.

All five were unsurprisingly picked in Ange’s 46-man squad.

Asia

Brett Holman scored an absolute worldie from outside the box as Al Nasr came from behind to defeat Al Ahli 2-1 in the Arabian Gulf League.

Robbie Cornthwaite’s time in Korea has come to an end, the former Socceroos defender announcing his move from Jeonnam Dragons to Malaysian side Selangor FA on Instagram.

Mark Bresciano continues to rack up the minutes, playing the full 90 in Al Gharafa’s 1-0 triumph over Al Kharitiyath in the Qatar Stars League.

Major League Soccer

Tim Cahill is putting his feet up after being knocked out of the MLS finals.

The Socceroos striker is spending his off-season chasing the big cats of Africa on safari with his two sons.

Timmy’s 704,000 Twitter followers have been able to follow his journey every step of the way, a journey which has included taking selfies with elephants, fishing and patting a cheetah.

Oh, and the great man also celebrated his 35th birthday.

Happy birthday, Timmy.

Originally published as Roo radar: James Troisi and Oliver Bozanic score stunners, birthday boy Tim Cahill goes on safari

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/roo-radar-james-troisi-and-oliver-bozanic-score-stunners-birthday-boy-tim-cahill-goes-on-safari/news-story/6ea4d65a4c322e75e535a53ea96b129d