Australians Abroad round-up: Schwarzer, Federici keep up appearances

Alan Nicolea compiles Goal.com's concise Australians Abroad round-up for this week, from the UK and Europe to Asia and the Americas

By ALAN NICOLEA

Follow him on Twitter

Australia international goalkeepers Mark Schwarzer and Adam Federici continue to set the standard for their countrymen playing abroad.

In his first game back from injury, Schwarzer was superb in Fulham's 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic, making several vital saves that kept the home side in the contest.

Federici, meanwhile, performed admirably in Reading's remarkable come-from-behind victory against West Bromwich Albion.

Trailing 2-0 with less than ten minutes remaining, Reading managed to score three goals late on to secure one of their best wins of the season.

In the Championship, Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams were once again left frustrated as Middlesbrough fell 2-1 to Watford.

Although McDonald did score a consolation goal late in the contest, Williams had a match to forget in defence, with his defensive error leading to Watford’s opening goal in the first half.

Elsewhere, Alex Brosque played well in Al Ain's 2-1 victory over Dubai in the Emirates Cup.

AUSSIES ABROAD: THE FULL ROUND-UP

Austria

James Holland (Austria Vienna) – Austria Vienna did not play on the weekend

Denmark

Brent McGrath (Brondby) – Brondby did not play on the weekend

England

Premier League

Adam Federici (Reading) – Was not at his best but still produced some strong saves in Reading's remarkable 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Brad Jones (Liverpool FC) – Was on the bench as Liverpool lost 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday.

Brett Holman (Aston Villa) – Was not in the squad as Aston Villa slumped to a 3-1 loss against Bradford City in the League Cup on Tuesday. Regained his starting spot in midfield but was replaced at half-time by Barry Bannan in the 1-0 loss to Southampton on Saturday.

Chris Herd (Aston Villa) – Was not in the squad for Aston Villa in their 3-1 loss to Bradford City in the League Cup. Did not play in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) – Was in strong form for Fulham in his return from injury, making several vital saves in the 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Championship

Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) – Played 90 minutes and nearly secured a draw after his strike crashed off the bar near fulltime in the 1-0 loss to Burnley on Saturday.

Patrick Kisnorbo (Ipswich Town) – Was on the bench as Ipswich Town played out a 0-0 draw with Cardiff City on Saturday.

Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City) – Was not in the squad as Bristol City slumped to a 4-0 loss at home to Leicester City on Saturday.

Shane Lowry (Millwall) – Played 90 minutes and was booked in the 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

Sebastian Usai (Blackburn Rovers) – Was on the bench as Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 with Wolves on Saturday.

Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) – Played 90 minutes, headed in a consolation goal and was booked in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 loss to Watford on Saturday.

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough) – Played 90 minutes but made several vital defensive errors in the 2-1 defeat to Saturday.

Germany

Bundesliga

Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf) – Fortuna Dusseldorf resume their Bundesliga campaign next week.

Nikita Rukavytsya (Mainz 05) –Mainz 05 resume their Bundesliga campaign next week.

Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund) – Borussia Dortmund resume their Bundesliga campaign next week.

Mustafi Amini (Borussia Dortmund) – Borussia Dortmund resume their Bundesliga campaign next week.

GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK

GOOD - MARK SCHWARZER Schwarzer was superb for Fulham in his first game back from injury, and was the main reason why the hosts were able to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic. The Socceroos No.1 produced some strong saves to deny Wigan Athletic attacker Franco Di Santo from adding to his tally after opening the scoring for the away side. Schwarzer's performance in goal showcased just how valuable he is to Fulham's fortunes in the Premier League.  BAD - RHYS WILLIAMS The Socceroos defender was poor in Middlesbrough's 2-1 loss to Watford, with his defensive error playing a key role in Watford's opening goal. Williams' attempted chest pass back to the goalkeeper was pounced on by Matej Vydra, who slotted home to give Watford a surprise lead. Williams then went close to scoring an own goal after nearly slicing Marco Cassetti's cross into the net. Given his recent strong form for Middlesbrough, one expects Williams to bounce back from this performance when his side resumes their Championship campaign next week.

2. Bundesliga

Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt) - Frankfurt continue their season in February.

Greece

Apostolis Giannou (PAOK Thessaloniki) – Replaced defender Alexis Apostolopoulos in the 88th minute as PAOK Thessaloniki drew 0-0 at home to Atromitos on Sunday.

Holland

Adam Sarota (Utrecht FC) – Utrecht FC resumes their Eredivisie campaign next week

Tommy Oar (Utrecht FC) – Utrecht FC resumes their Eredivisie campaign next week

Michael Zullo (Utrecht FC) - Utrecht FC resumes their Eredivisie campaign next week

Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo) – Heracles Almelo resumes their Eredivisie campaign next week.

Italy

Serie A

James Troisi (Atalanta) – Was on the bench as Atalanta lost 2-0 away to Lazio in the Serie A on Monday.

Serie B

Carl Valeri (Sassuolo) – Sassuolo did not play on the weekend

Portugal

Caleb Patterson-Sewell (Vitoria Setubal) – Was on the bench as Vitoria Setubal enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Moreirense in the Premeira Liga on Monday.

Qatar

Matt Spiranovic (Al Arabi) – Al Arabi did not play on the weekend

Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa) – Al Gharafa did not play on the weekend

Sasa Ognenovski (Umm Salal) – Umm Salal did not play on the weekend

Russia

Luke Wilkshere (Dinamo Moscow) – Dinamo Moscow did not play on the weekend

Scotland

Dylan McGowan (Hearts) – Hearts did not play on the weekend.

Turkey

Kerem Bulut (Akhisar Belediyespor) – Was not in the squad as Akhisar Belediyespor secured a 1-0 victory over Antalyaspor in the Super Lig on Wednesday.  He will hope to make his debut for the relegation-threatened club in Monday's match against Eskisehirspor.

UAE

Alex Brosque (Al Ain) – Played 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory over Dubai in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Nick Carle (Bani Yas) – Played 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw against Al Jazira in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Lucas Neill (Al Wasl) – Played 90 minutes and was booked in the 3-2 loss to Al Dhafra in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

Richard Porta (Dubai) – Was not in the squad as Dubai slumped to a 2-1 loss against Al Ain in the Emirates Cup.