Aussies Abroad: Luongo claims assist in tough night for Socceroos stars

Results didn't go the way of Australia's overseas stars with an assist for Massimo Luongo one of few highlights in a tough night for our Aussies Abroad.

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Luongo gave fans of his QPR side a brief moment of brilliance as they suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Championship relegation battlers Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton kept their hopes of surviving the drop with a fast start which helped them to a 2-0 lead.

The Aussie, starting the match in his usual holding midfield position, set up Rangers striker Nahki Wells for a goal late in the second half with a pass to release the pacy front man on the right side.

However, Luongo's assist and Wells goal was too little too late for QPR as the succumbed to an unlikely defeat.

Australia's Premier League stars Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan didn't have much luck either with both suffering defeat.

For Mooy, his Huddersfield side's 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace stung that little bit more with the defeat confirming their relegation from the Premier League with six matches still to play.

The Socceroos star had a frustrating performance with his efforts to create any hint of a scoring opportunity for the terriers failing to find their mark.

Mooy's Australia teammate Ryan didn't have it much better as his Brighton side suffered a 1-0 loss to Southampton.

The Socceroos shots stopper made a number of saves early in what was a tightly contested match.

However, Ryan was unable to deny Saints midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's effort after 53 minutes which proved to be the match-winner.

Brighton remain five points clear of relegation in 15th place but are sure to be nervous coming into the final weeks of the season.

Back in the Championship, it was a busy night with a handful of Australian players in action.

Jackson Irvine played 90 minutes for Hull City as they claimed a 2-0 win against Ipswich town to keep their Premier League promotion playoff hopes alive.

Bailey Wright was another winner as his captained Bristol City to a 3-2 win against Sheffield United.

Wright started the match but was substituted in the 73rd minute

Defender James Meredith didn't have as much luck with his Millwall side suffering a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Leeds United.

Meredith picked up a yellow card in the match and was substituted six minutes from time.

Rotherham's Australian winger Ryan WIlliams was on the back end of a humiliating 6-1 loss at the hands of Derby County.

Mile Jedinak was an unused substitute for Aston Villa in their 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers, while Adam Federici was also left on the bench for Stoke City as they played out a scoreless draw against Sheffield Wednesday. 

A few of the Socceroos were also in action across Europe with Danny Vukovic's Belgian side KRC Genk stretching their lead at the top of the table with a dominant 3-0 win against Anderlecht.

In Germany Mathew Leckie made a late cameo off the bench in the 75th minute as his Hertha Berlin side suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of RB Leipzig.

Awer Mabil also played 90 minutes in Denmark for his club side Midtjylland as they played out a scoreless stalemate against Nordsjaelland.

In Scotland it was a good night for veteran Aussie marksman Scott McDonald who added another an assist to his tally playing for Partick Thistle in their 3-0 win against Greenock Morton.

Jack Iredale also played 90 minutes for Thistle. 

Lyndon Dykes found the back of the net for Queen of the South in a 2-1 win against Dundee United.

St Mirren's 2-1 Scottish Premiership win against Dundee had an Aussie flavour to it with three Australian players on the team sheet.

Ryan McGowan played 90 minutes in defence for Dundee while teammate and countryman Jesse Curran came off the bench late in the second half.

Jordan Homes was an unused sub by St Mirren.

Finally in Japan, Jason Geria and Mitch Langerak both played full matches with Langerak keeping a clean sheet for J-League side Nagoya Grampus as they cruised to a 4-0 win against Consadole Sapporo.