Aussie Duo Score Vital Goals For Clubs

Qantas Socceroo midfield duo Tim Cahill and Marco Bresciano came to the fore overnight to help their respective clubs Everton and Parma to useful results.

Qantas Socceroo midfield duo Tim Cahill and Marco Bresciano (pictured right) came to the fore overnight to help their respective clubs Everton and Parma to useful results.

Cahill managed to score his 5th goal of the season and third since Christmas Day, in helping Everton to earn a point at Middlesbrough. He scrambled home his goal with 14 minutes left, with his equaliser lifting The Toffees seven points clear of arch rivals Liverpool in the battle for the vital fourth spot on the ladder that will guarantee a crack at European Champions League football next season.

Bresciano meanwhile notched his second goal of the season, as Parma won 2-1 against Lecce, to further enhance their prospects of avoiding relegation to the Serie B.

While still in the relegation zone, Parma are level on points with Brescia and only two points behind three teams. Parma has now picked up seven points in its last three games.

Bresciano opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, when he got behind the defence and chested the ball down and volleyed home. He was denied a second goal in injury time when he volleyed against the crossbar, but a minute later Parma scored its second goal and a vital win.

In Spain, good news for Qantas Socceroo coach Frank Farina with John Aloisi back in the Osasuna squad for its match with Valencia.

The striker did not see any action, but his return to the squad after a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury, is good news for the Osasuna and also the national team.

Meanwhile, the Belgian Juliper League kicked off for the new year after its mid-winter season break, with Qantas Socceroo and new Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson scoring for Lierse.

Thompson, who will see out the season with Lierse before heading back to Australia, scored a late consolation goal as Lierse were thumped by 4-1 by Standard Liege.

For more details on how all the Aussies fared over the weekend and the past week, don-t forget to look out for Action Abroad on Tuesday.