Aussies Abroad: Federici cleans up

The Qantas Socceroos' No.2 goalkeeper Adam Federici continued his fine season by keeping his fourth clean sheet in six outings in Reading's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the nPower Championship.

The Qantas Socceroos' No.2 goalkeeper Adam Federici continued his fine season by keeping his fourth clean sheet in six outings in Reading's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace in the nPower Championship.

The 26-year-old denied Socceroos teammate Mile Jedinak's goal-bound header in the second half to ensure a point for his side at Selhurst Park.

Reading, who have won drawn four and won two of their last six games, are 16th on the table while Palace are flying high in third behind surprise leaders Southampton.

In other nPower Championship action, Neil Kilkenny played a full game as Bristol City beat Barnsley 2-1 at Oakwell while Rhys Williams and Scott McDonald both played in Middlesbrough's 3-0 defeat to Southampton. Defender Patrick Kisnorbo came off the bench to play a part in the equaliser for Leeds United in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City at Elland Road.

In the Barclays Premier League, Mark Schwarzer enjoyed his fair share of luck in Fulham's 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic, the woodwork coming in handy for him on a couple of occasions.

Tim Cahill missed Everton's 1-0 home loss to Manchester United with injury while Chris Herd rebounded from his controversial sending off last week to play a full match in Aston Villa's 2-2 draw at Sunderland.

Matt McKay made the bench for the first time for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League but the former Brisbane Roar player's services were not called upon in the 2-1 win at Aberdeen.

Robbie Kruse showed signs he was starting to find his feet at Fortuna Dusseldorf with a lively showing in the club's 5-2 win at FSV Frankfurt in the German second division.

In only his second league start at the club, Kruse caused plenty of headaches for the opposition and set up his side's fourth goal of the match.

Nikita Rukavytsya continued his rich vein of form for Bundesliga side Hertha berlin, playing a starring role in their 3-2 win over Wolfsburg.

Rukavytsya, who scored a goal midweek in Cup action, forced a number of good saves from opposition goalkeeper Diego Benaglio and was substituted in the 84th minute.

Former Socceroo midfielder Marco Bresciano made his debut for Al Nasr in the United Arb emirates while Lucas Neill's Al Jazira is top of the table after a 3-1 win over Bani Yas.

In Japan, Matthew Spiranovic failed to make it off the bench as Urawa Red Diamonds were beaten 1-0 by Kashima Antlers in the J-League Cup final.