Socceroos Central - Midweek Wrap: Troisi on fire, McDonald dire

by Ben Somerford on Feb 03, 2012

0 comments | | print

James Troisi was the star of midweek with two goals in two games after dousing rumours of an A-League return last week, while Scott McDonald netted but suffered a bad knee injury.

Firstly to Turkey's Super Lig where Troisi scored for Kayserispor in Thursday's 1-1 draw with Sivasspor along with the winner in Monday's 1-0 victory over Besiktas.

On Thursday, Sivasspor had gone a goal to the good thanks to Michael Eneramo's strike before Troisi levelled spectacularly on 65 minutes.

Troisi scored a stunning goal after collecting an overhit cross on the byline, he nutmegged opponent Ugur Kucuk before a cool angled finish which went in off the near post to make it 1-1.

Earlier in the week, Troisi had scored after just one minute to stun Turkish giants Besiktas.

The Australian raced forward and netted with a cool left-foot finish for the game's decisive strike.

Elsewhere in midweek, Scott McDonald scored his ninth goal of the season in Middlesbrough's 2-2 draw with Leicester City before being forced off with injury on 74 minutes.

Unfortunately, McDonald has suffered a medial knee ligament injury which Boro boss Tony Mowbray confirmed would rule him out for 4-6 weeks.

Earlier, McDonald had nodded home with a typical poacher's goal after Seb Hines flicked on Tony McMahon's corner on 17 minutes to make it 1-1. Meanwhile, Rhys Williams played a full game.

Returning to Turkey's Super Lig on Thursday, Kerem Bulut didn't make his debut for Eskisehirspor as they won 3-2 at Manisaspor.

In UAE's Emirates Cup on Thursday, Mark Bresciano's Al Nasr lost 2-1 at home to Bani Yas.

In England's Premier League on Wednesday, Mark Schwarzer, Vince Grella and Chris Herd all were absent due to injury as Fulham drew 1-1 with West Bromwich, Blackburn lost 2-0 to Newcastle and Aston Villa drew 2-2 with QPR.

On Tuesday in the EPL, Tim Cahill put in a full shift as Everton shocked Manchester City 1-0. The Aussie played in behind Denis Stracqualursi in attack, but struggled make much influence in the game.

In Italy's Serie B on Wednesday, Carl Valeri didn't start for Sassuolo, coming off the bench on 76 minutes, as they dropped points with a 0-0 draw at Cittadella. The result sees Sassuolo drop to second.

In England's Championship on Tuesday, Mile Jedinak played a full game as Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Brighton, while Shane Lowry returned after suspension and was an unused sub in Millwall's 2-0 loss at Watford.

In the Dutch Cup on Tuesday, Brett Holman started and played 69 minutes as AZ Alkmaar reached the semi-finals after a 2-1 win over GVVV. Elsewhere, Jason Davidson wasn't in the Heracles squad which defeated RKC Waalwijk 3-0.