Aussies Abroad: Sainsbury makes derby debut in Israel as Degenek inks new Red Star deal

Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury has made a strong start to life in the Isreali Premier League with Maccabi Haifa helping them claim a 0-0 draw against rivals Hapoel.

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Sainsbury only arrived at his new club during the week after signing from PSV Eindhoven and was forced to hit the ground running with a start in the Haifa derby.

Despite a late attacking flurry, Maccabi were unable to find a winner as Sainsbury claimed a clean sheet in his debut after coming off the bench in the second half.

Fellow Aussie Nikita Rukavytsya started the match for Maccabi Haifa but was unable to repeat his two goal performance from last week's 4-3 win against Hapoel Ra'anana.

In Serbia it was all smiles for Australian defender Milos Degenek who celebrated signing a 4-year deal with Red Star Belgrade by helping them to a 2-1 win against Serbian SuperLiga leaders, FK Vojvodina.

It marks an incredible return to Red Star for Degenek who only rejoined the side in July on a six month loan after a six month stint with Saudi outfit Al-Hilal.

Goals in the 27th and the 59th minute secured the win for Red Star, their fifth straight to start the season.

The result only comes a few days after Red Star clinched their spot in the Champions League group stage with a win against Swiss outfit Young Boys.

Sadly it was not good news for Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy who slumped to a 4-0 loss in England's Premier League against Manchester City at the Etihad.

Socceroos goalkeeper Ryan made a number of good saves, including a great effort to stop a stinging Riyad Mahrez effort, but it was enough to stop the juggernaut that is City's attack.

Aaron Mooy once again watched on from the substitutes bench with coach Graham Potter not utilising the former Huddersfield talisman.

it was a busy night in the Championship with Massimo Luongo, Jackson Irvine and Adam Federici all in action.

A second half cameo from Luongo was not enough to inspire Sheffield Wednesday to to victory against his former club QPR going down 2-1.

Wednesday took a 1-0 lead 23 minutes in from a Steven Fletcher penalty, but a four minute brace from Jordan Hugill put the Rangers in front with 30 minutes left on the clock.

The Aussie midfielder was introduced in the 67th minute but despite an energetic display was unable to help the Owls find an equaliser.

Jackson Irvine was also in action overnight and played 90 minutes to help his Hull City team cling on for a 1-1 draw at Millwall despite being reduced to nine-men.

Kamil Grosicki netted a sensational 40-yard free-kick to level the scores at 1-1 only eight minutes after the Lions had gone ahead courtesy of a 10th minute penalty from Jed Wallace.

It was a chaotic end to the match for Hull with Josh Magennis sent off and Jan Toral forced off injured with coach Grant McCann unable to replace him having used all his substitutes.

Adam Federici made another start for Stoke City in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham City. 

In League One the nightmare for Mark Milligan rolled on with his Southend United side slumping to a sixth straight defeat with a 3-0 loss to Rochdale.

Harry Souttar was unable to do much better as his Fleetwood Town side suffered a 2-0 defeat to Lincoln City.

Ryan Edwards on the other hand found the back of the net for Burton Albion as they defeated Bristol Rovers 2-0

Brandon Borrello was given another start in the Bundesliga with his side Freiburg SC but it wasn't enough to help them collect all three points as they went down 2-1 to FC Koln. 

Borello played on the left wing in a 4-2-2-2 formation before being substituted in the 60th minute.

Australia winger Mathew Leckie also feautred in the overnight Bundesliga action coming on as a substitute in Hertha Berlin's 3-0 loss at Schalke.

Leckie came on 76 minutes in but after a pair of own goals from his Hertha teammates there was little the former Adelaide United flyer could do to salvage a point.

In Scotland Lyndon Dykes scored for Livingston in their 2-1 win Scottish Premiership win against St Mirren.