Aussies Abroad | Busy mid-week

It has been a busy mid-week for many Aussies playing abroad with the Champions League, lower English divisions and Asian competitions all taking place.

It has been a busy mid-week for many Aussies playing abroad with the Champions League, lower English divisions and Asian competitions all in action.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mitch Langerak made his UEFA Champions League debut for Borussia Dortmund in his side-s 2-1 loss to Napoli this morning.

The former Melbourne Victory custodian entered the fray on the cusp of half-time in controversial circumstances, with Dormund-s starting goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller being shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball outside the box.

With his side trailing 1-0 at Napoli-s San Paolo Stadium, Langerak came on for winger Jakub Blaszczykowski. He was able to deal with the resulting free-kick and deputised for his captain with aplomb in the second half-half.

The 25-year-old made a string of fine saves to keep 10-man Dortmund in the contest but he was unable to do anything about a spectacular free-kick from Lorenzo Insigne in the 67th minute, which doubled the home side's advantage.

Dortmund, who currently lead the German Bundesliga table, pulled one back late-on through a calamitous Napoli own-goal but would ultimately suffer their first defeat of the season.

Langerak, who joined last season-s Champions League finalists from Victory in 2010, has impressed when given the opportunity for the German outfit. While he is yet to make his Socceroos debut, this morning-s announcement that Australia will play Canada in London next month may see him earn his first start.

Elsewhere is Champions League action this morning, Socceroos midfielder James Holland played the majority of the contest for Austria Wien as his club went down 1-0 to FC Porto. The Austrian side were undone at home by a 55th minute goal from Luis Gonzalez.

Deployed in the heart of Wien-s midfield, Holland looked confident on the ball to suggest he's firmly in contention for a start in the Socceroos upcoming fixtures, having also been an unused substitute in the loss to Brazil.

Former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Tom Rogic made the trip with Celtic to AC Milan but didn't take the field in the Hoops' loss, in which they were unlucky to concede two late goals.

In other football action played in the last 48-hours, Socceroos representative Robbie Kruse came on in the 78th minute for Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League tie but could not help his side escape defeat at the hands of Manchester United.

The Red Devils claimed a 4-2 victory in a highly entertaining match that saw five goals scored in the second half as Wayne Rooney secured a brace and his 200th goal for United.

Fellow Socceroo Rhys Williams lined up for his English Championship side Middleborough as they had a 2-2 draw away at Nottingham Forest.

‘Borough have only secured 7 points in their opening 7 matches of the season to find themself lingering in 16th position.

In other Championship action Millwall-s Scott McDonald played just over an hour as his side secured a 3-1 win, their first for the season, as they moved into 19th position. Fellow Aussie Shane Lowry did not play due to suspension.

In Russia-s top division Luke Wilkshire played the full complement for Dynamo Moscow against FK Ural. The Socceroos side scored an impressive 4-1 away victory as they climbed to 6th position in the Premier Liga.

Turning to Asia, Adam Griffiths side Selangor was knocked out of the Malaysia Cup after finishing level at 1-1 against ATM. Griffiths played 12 matches for Sydney FC last season before beginning with the Malaysian side in late April.

Matildas keeper Brianna Davey continues to perform well in the tough Swedish Damallsvenskan as she kept a clean sheet in her side Linköpings FC's 3-0 win over Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC.