Australians Abroad round-up: Federici rises as Schwarzer falls

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

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It was another solid week for Australian goalkeepers, with Adam Federici and Brad Jones this time setting the standard for their countrymen playing abroad.

Federici continues to go from strength to strength for Reading, making two vital saves that ultimately ensured victory for Reading against Newcastle on Saturday.

Jones, meanwhile, enjoyed a rare start for Liverpool and did not disappoint on his way to a clean sheet against Norwich City.

Jones took the gloves after regular No.1 Pepe Reina underwent an operation on a broken nose, which could see the Spanish sidelined for around two weeks.

In the Championship, Rhys Williams bounced back from a poor performance last week to nearly earn a draw for Middlesbrough in their 1-0 loss to Leicester City.

The Middlesbrough captain ventured forward in the dying minutes and won a penalty that was ultimately saved by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from Martin Emnes.

Elsewhere, Adam Sarota and Michael Zullo played well in Utrecht's 2-0 win over Groningen in the Eredivisie, while Robbie Kruse produced an assist in Fortuna Dusseldorf's 3-2 loss to Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

AUSSIES ABROAD: THE FULL ROUND-UP

Austria

James Holland (Austria Vienna) – League leaders Austria Vienna resumes their campaign on Monday in the city derby with Rapid.

Denmark

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

England

Premier League

Adam Federici (Reading) – Once again stood tall for Reading in their 2-1 win over Newcastle, making two excellent point blank saves to deny Papiss Cisse.

Brad Jones (Liverpool FC) – Enjoyed a rare start for Liverpool and secured a clean sheet in the comfortable 5-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday.

Brett Holman (Aston Villa) – Replaced Charles N'Zogbia midway through the second half as Aston Villa drew 2-2 with West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

Chris Herd (Aston Villa) – Did not play in the 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham) – Struggled at times in Fulham's 2-1 away victory over Blackpool in the FA Cup on Wednesday as his poor attempted clearance led to Nathan Delfouneso's opener for the home side. Also battled in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Championship

Sebastian Usai (Blackburn Rovers) – Was on the bench as Blackburn Rovers lost 2-1 away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace) – Produced an industrious performance for Crystal Palace in their heartbreaking 4-1 extra time defeat to Stoke City in the FA Cup on Wednesday.  Played 90 minutes on Saturday in the 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderer, for who he is a reported transfer target.

Patrick Kisnorbo (Ipswich Town) – Was on the bench as Ipswich Town drew 1-1 with Barnsley on Saturday.

Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City) – Played 70 minutes and was booked before being substituted for Wes Burns in the 1-0 defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.

Shane Lowry (Millwall) – Was not in the squad as Millwall lost 2-0 away to Burnley on Sunday.

Scott McDonald (Middlesbrough) – Was substituted in the 72nd minute for Lukas Jutkiewicz in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester City on Sunday.

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough) – Struggled early with possession against Leicester City but got better as the game wore on, winning a penalty late in the contest after he was fouled by Jamie Vardy. Marvin Emnes' effort from the spot, however, was saved by Schmeichel, thus condemning Middlesbrough to a 1-0 defeat.

Germany

Robbie Kruse (Fortuna Dusseldorf) – Played 90 minutes and assisted Stefan Reisinger for the opening goal in the 3-2 defeat to Augsburg on Sunday.

Nikita Rukavytsya (Mainz 05) – Was not in the squad as Mainz drew 0-0 with SC Freiburg on Saturday.

Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund) – Was on the bench as Borussia Dortmund crushed Werder Bremen 5-0 away from home on Saturday.

Mustafi Amini (Borussia Dortmund) – Did not play in the 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.

GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK

GOOD - ADAM FEDERICI Federici regains his place as Australia's best player abroad for this week courtesy of another fine display for Reading in the English Premier League. Federici was at his best when it counted for Reading, making two quick reflex saves to deny Papiss Cisse from close range. His performance was a big factor as Reading were able to turn a 1-0 deficit against Newcastle into a 2-1 victory away from home. If Reading does escape relegation, Federici will be the man to thank.  BAD - MARK SCHWARZER Schwarzer was unable to replicate his match-saving efforts against Wigan Athletic last week and struggled significantly this week in Fulham's loss to Manchester City on the Saturday. He should have done more with Eden Dzeko's strike as he palmed the ball straight to David Silva, which resulted in the opening goal. Schwarzer then found himself in no-man's land as Silva produced a delightful chip to score his second of the match. With a trip to Old Trafford coming up, Schwarzer needs to bounce back quickly if Fulham are a chance of upsetting Manchester United in the FA Cup.

2. Bundesliga

Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt) – Frankfurt continues their season in February.

Greece

Apostolis Giannou (PAOK Thessaloniki) – Did not play in the 1-0 loss to Asteras Tripolis on Saturday.

Holland

Adam Sarota (Utrecht FC) – Played 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Groningen on Saturday.

Tommy Oar (Utrecht FC) – Was not in the squad as Utrecht secured a 2-0 win over Groningen.

Michael Zullo (Utrecht FC) – Played 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Groningen.

Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo) – Played 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Heerenveen on Saturday.

Italy

Serie A

James Troisi (Atalanta) – Was on the bench as Atalanta drew 1-1 with Cagliari in the Serie A on Sunday.

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 lost 4-1 to Sporting Braga in the Primeira Liga on Sunday.

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) – Played 70 minutes before being substituted for Callum Tapping in the 4-1 defeat to Celtic on Sunday.

Turkey

Kerem Bulut (Akhisar Belediyespor) – Akhisar Belediyespor plays on Tuesday, with Bulut hoping to make his debut for his new club.

Ersan Gulum (Besiktas) –  Has not featured for his side since sustaining an injury in December.

UAE

Alex Brosque (Al Ain) – Played 90 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Al Wahda in the Emirates Cup on Friday

Nick Carle (Bani Yas) – Bani Yas resume their Pro-League campaign on Thursday.

Dino Dulbic (Al Wahda) – Played 80 minutes before being substituted for Mohamed Qassim in the 1-0 defeat to Al Ain in the Emirates Cup.

Lucas Neill (Al Wasl) – Was not in the squad as Al Wasl succumbed to a poor 5-1 home defeat to Al Jazira in the Emirates Cup on Thursday.

Richard Porta (Dubai) – Dubai resumes their Pro-League campaign on Wednesday.