Oz Update: Emerton Scores As Rovers Thru To Semis

Socceroo Brett Emerton scored for Blackburn and then held his nerve in the penalty shootout as Rovers reached the Carling Cup semi-finals with victory over Chelsea overnight.

Blackburn's Australian pair Emerton and Vince Grella both took spot-kicks after the game had ended 3-3 after 120 minutes with both coolly converting, as goalkeeper Paul Robinson heroicly led Rovers to a 4-3 shootout victory.

Earlier Blackburn took a first-half lead through Nikola Kalinic, before Emerton flashed a 20-yard effort as Rovers sensed an upset against an understrength Chelsea side.

Chelsea rung the changes at the break and sub Didier Drogba immediately scored before Salomon Kalou gave the Blues the lead on 52 minutes.

Grella came off the bench for Blackburn just past the hour mark and minutes later Rovers were level when Emerton's swirling cross fooled Chelsea keeper Hilario and sailed straight in through the Portuguese's legs.

Benni McCarthy scored a 93rd minute penalty in extra-time before Paulo Ferreira sent the game to a penalty shootout with a late equaliser, but Rovers ultimately won out with Michael Ballack and Gael Kakuta failing from the spot.

In the Europa League overnight, Scott McDonald played a full game for Celtic as they recorded a 2-0 win over Hapoel Tel-Aviv but were still eliminated from the competition.

McDonald had a few early chances finding the net in an offside position on 4 minutes before drawing a good save from Hapoel stopper Vincent Enyeama on 20 minutes after Aiden McGeady's good work.

On 22 minutes, McDonald cleverly took a quick free-kick which allowed McGeady to race forward and set up Georgios Samaras for the opener.

Quarter of an hour later, McDonald found space in a dangerous area and evaded Enyeama's challenge before crossing for Samaras who saw his header rebound back off the post.

Barry Robson's grabbed Celtic's second with a curling free-kick before McDonald missed a late sitter.

Elsewhere, David Carney played a full game as FC Twente lost 1-0 at home to Fenerbahce, while Tim Cahill also put in a full shift as Everton won 1-0 at AEK Athens.

In Korea's K-League grand final, Sasa Ognenovski was back for Seongnam Ilhwa after suspension as they drew 0-0 at home against Jeonbuk Motors in the first-leg played in front of over 21,000 supporters.

Ognenovski, who had been suspended for a stomping offence in Seongnam's first playoff a fortnight ago against Incheon, played a full game in the goalless stalemate.

The return-leg in Jeonbuk will be played on Sunday and Seongnam boss Shin Tae-Yong said, "We are ready to play the second leg and have all our key players. It will be an exciting match.”

Aussies In Action Today

Saudi Pro League
Al-Hilal v Al-Shabab (Adam Griffiths), 2.35am
Europa League
Fulham (Mark Schwarzer) v CSKA Sofia, 6.05am
AS Roma v FC Basel (Scott Chipperfield), 6.05am
Galatasaray (Harry Kewell) v Panathinaikos, 6.05am

Aussies In Action Today

Korean K-League Final First-Leg
Seongnam Ilhwa (Sasa Ognenovski) v Jeonbuk Motors, 8pm
Europa League
FC Twente (David Carney, Nikita Rukavytsya) v Fenerbahce, 4am
AEK Athens v Everton (Lucas Neill [cup-tied], Tim Cahill), 4am
English League Two
Chesterfield (Aaron Downes) v Crewe, 5.30am
English Carling Cup
Blackburn (Vince Grella, Brett Emerton) v Chelsea, 6am
Europa League
Celtic (Scott McDonald) v Hapoel Tel-Aviv, 6.05am

Oz Update: Kilkenny's Hot Form Continues

Australian midfielder Neil Kilkenny was in inspired form overnight scoring a goal as Leeds United maintained their promotion charge with a 2-0 win at Oldham in England's League One.

Kilkenny, who formerly played with Oldham, scored from Max Gradel's left-wing cross on 37 minutes to give Leeds the advantage, before Luciano Becchio's second-half sealer.

The Beijing Olyroo was making his sixth consecutive start for Leeds after a slow start to the campaign, while fellow Aussie Patrick Kisnorbo missed out with injury although he's expected to return on the weekend.

But Kilkenny, who has now scored 3 goals in his last 5 appearances for United, was the story of the night with a fine display in midfield.

On 13 minutes the 23-year-old Aussie threaded a trademark throughball for David Prutton who was clear on goal, but the offside flag was raised.

Minutes later Kilkenny was at it again, when he precisely picked out Jason Crowe but his shot missed the target.

Leeds continued to attack but Oldham stopper Darryl Flahavan was proving hard to beat, until Kilkenny cruised into the six-yard box to bundle home Gradel's cross on 37 minutes.

Kilkenny tried his luck again just before the break with a long-range effort but it wasn't until late in the contest that Leeds sealed the points courtesy of Becchio's 82nd minute strike.

Leeds now have won five consecutive League One matches without conceding a goal and are six points clear on top of the League One table.

Elsewhere in League One, Gareth Edds played a full game as bottom-club Tranmere drew 3-3 at Huddersfield.

In League Two, on loan Liverpool youngster Dean Bouzanis kept a clean sheet in his first full 90 minutes for Accrington Stanley as they won 2-0 at Burton Albion.

Elsewhere, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff put in a full shift helping Shrewsbury defeat Rotherham 2-0, on loan Reading winger Oliver Bozanic was an 86th minute substitute for Aldershot as they won 5-2 at Dag & Red, while Scott Guyett's Bournemouth slipped off the summit after a 1-1 draw at Daniel Leach's Barnet.

In the Blue Square Premier League, former Derby County youngster James Meredith played a full game for York City as they won 1-0 at Rushden & Diamonds to continue their own promotion charge.

Finally, in France's Ligue 2, Aussie defender Ante Rozic was an unused sub as Sedan won 3-0 against Nantes.

Aussies In Action Today

First off today, I just wanted to briefly point out I've uploaded a few new videos into the Latest Highlights section on the sidebar including a good one of Mile Jedinak's double (click here to see that, and look out for Bruce Djite's late cameo). My interest admittedly wavers in maintaining that section but I do try to get the goalscoring vids up.

And also I wanted to send a shout-out to Partybets.com who have got onboard and go alright.

French Ligue 2
Sedan (Ante Rozic) v Nantes, 5am
English League One
Huddersfield v Tranmere (Gareth Edds), 5.45am
Oldham v Leeds United (Neil Kilkenny, Patrick Kisnorbo), 5.45am
Southampton v Wycombe (Jamie Young), 5.45am
Southend v Norwich City (Michael Theoklitos), 5.45am
English League Two
Barnet (Daniel Leach) v Bournemouth (Scott Guyett), 5.45am
Burton Albion v Accrington Stanley (Dean Bouzanis), 5.45am
Dag & Red v Aldershot (Oliver Bozanic), 5.45am
Shrewsbury (Shane Cansdell-Sherriff) v Rotherham, 5.45am
English Blue Square Premier League
Rushden & Diamonds v York City (James Meredith), 5.45am
Gateshead v Mansfield Town (Kyle Nix), 5.45am

Image of the Weekend

Weekend's Aussies Abroad Update

Aussie Mile Jedinak showed a glimpse of what he can offer the Socceroos by scoring a double in Antalyaspor's 2-0 win over Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig.

The 25-year-old midfielder struck twice in similar circumstances in the first-half on Sunday's Super Lig clash, to take his season tally to 6 goals in all competitions in Turkey.

It didn't take long for Jedinak to make his mark on Sunday, scoring after just 3 minutes when he nodded on a long free-kick.

The goal was very similar to one he scored against Kasimpasa earlier this season suggesting he's a real threat from set-pieces.

The former Central Coast man almost had a second not long after when he was first to a right-wing cross into the box but his control let him down and Gencler keeper Serdar Kulbilge pounced.

But on 45 minutes, Jedinak wouldn't be denied when he found plenty of space in the box after a long ball forward, allowing the Aussie time to control before lashing in a fine right-foot volley.

Meanwhile, Bruce Djite came off the bench for Genclerbirligi on 61 minutes and forced a low save out of Antalyaspor stopper Omer Catkic after a nice left-foot snapshot.

Elsewhere in the Turkish Super Lig this weekend, Michael Petkovic's Sivasspor went down 1-0 to champions Besiktas who move above Harry Kewell's Galatasaray, who lost on Friday at Bursaspor, and into second.

Bobo scored the winner for Besiktas when he slid in to meet a low cross. Petkovic came off second best as Bobo not only connected with the ball but also the Aussie stopper although he did go on to play the match out.

In the English Premier League, Tim Cahill was denied by a brilliant Pepe Reina save as Everton lost the Merseyside derby 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday.

The Socceroos superstar saw his second-half header from close-range well stopped by Reina before the Spaniard incredibly denied Marouane Fellaini on the follow-up too.

Cahill was replaced after 81 minutes, while Lucas Neill was an 86th minute sub after Tony Hibbert was worryingly preferred to start at right-back.

Elsewhere in the EPL, Richard Garcia wasted a great chance to score early in the second-half as Hull City claimed a 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

Garcia found a clean sight of goal after good work by Jozy Altidore and while the Aussie calmly lifted his shot over City stopper Shay Given, Joleon Lescott had enough time to backtrack and clear off the line.

Brett Emerton was back in the Blackburn line-up after missing out with a knee injury midweek and fired a second-half effort wide as Rovers drew 0-0 with Stoke City. Vince Grella was a 45th minute sub, but had little impact.

Meanwhile, Mark Schwarzer was beaten by a bullet Ivan Klasnic strike but did little wrong as Fulham drew 1-1 with Bolton.

In the Italian Serie A, Mark Bresciano played a full game as Palermo disappointingly lost 1-0 at Chievo Verona. Bresciano spurned a great chance just after the break with a 15-yard shot skimming off the post and by all reports the Aussie didn't have a great game.

In the German Bundesliga, Dario Vidosic came off the bench on 67 minutes but made little impact as FC Nurnberg lost 1-0 against fellow newboys SC Freiburg. Matt Spiranovic wasn't in the Nurnberg squad but did play a full game for the reserves side, scoring in a 4-1 win.

In the Dutch Eredivisie, Brett Holman scored his fourth goal of the season with a nice shot into the top corner as AZ Alkmaar defeated VVV Venlo 2-0. Holman played 76 minutes before being replaced, while James Holland remains on the sidelines.

Elsewhere in the Eredivisie, David Carney was an unused sub as FC Twente maintained their position on top of the table after a 3-1 win at Willem II. Nikita Rukavytsya wasn't in the Twente squad.

In the Scottish Premier League, Scott McDonald had an interesting day with a goal, missed penalty and a dubious goal assist for an own goal as Celtic beat St Mirren 3-1.

Elsewhere in the SPL, James Wesolowski battled hard for Hamilton Accies as they claimed a 1-1 draw at St Johnstone, while Trent McClenahan was a 90th minute sub and Danny Invincibile was absent as Kilmarnock lost 2-1 to Hearts.

In the Russian Premier League, Luke Wilkshire put in a full shift on the final day of the league season helping Dinamo Moscow win 2-1 at FK Moscow. Dinamo finish the season in 8th.

In the Greek Super League, Apostolos Giannou failed to produce heroics off the bench again this week as Kavala lost 1-0 at Larissa. Giannou was a 67th minute sub, while Zeljko Kalac wasn't in the squad.

In the Swiss Super League, Scott Chipperfield played a full game but missed a second-half chance as FC Basel lost ground on leaders Young Boys after a 2-0 defeat in Bern.

In the Japanese J.League, Joshua Kennedy provided an assist with a flick-on for Yoshizumi Ogawa's 11th minute goal but the Aussie had to be replaced on 31 minutes after copping a knock to the head as Nagoya won 2-0 over Montedio Yamagata.

Elsewhere in the J.League, Eddy Bosnar was again an unused substitute as JEF United slipped into bottom spot after a 2-0 loss to Oita Trinita.

In the Korean K-League playoffs, Sasa Ognenovski's Seongnam Ilhwa are into the final to face Jeonbuk Motors, after defeating Asian champions Pohang Steelers 1-0 on Sunday. Ognenovski, who was sent off for stomping earlier in the playoffs, did not play for Seongnam.

In the Croatian Prva HNL, Josip Skoko put in a full shift as Hajduk Split defeated Osijek 1-0, while Dan Georgievski also played a full game in NK Medimurje's 2-0 loss at Karlovac.

In the Romanian Liga I, Joshua Rose and Josh Mitchell teamed up in defence and played full games as Universitatea Craiova lost 2-0 at CFR Cluj.

Onto Europe's lower tier divisions, Carl Valeri remains out of favour at Grosseto due to a contractual row, left out of their squad as they lost 3-2 at Lecce in Italy's Serie B.

In the English Championship, Socceroo Shane Lowry was unsettled by a few changes in defence as Barnsley raced to a 4-1 lead over Plymouth, before Argyle were saved by a downpour of rain which forced the game to be abandoned.

Elsewhere in the Championship, Brad Jones put in a full shift making some good saves while Rhys Williams served a one-game suspension as Middlesbrough drew 2-2 at Peterborough.

Adam Federici played a full game for Reading as they lost 2-1 at Derby, Nick Carle was an unused sub again as Crystal Palace beat Watford 3-0, while young goalkeeper Daniel Ireland was the back-up stopper as Coventry drew 2-2 at QPR.

In the Greek Beta Ethniki, Nathan Burns started and played 56 minutes as AO Kerkyra continued their fine form defeating Panserraikos 4-0.

In the Turkish Lig A, young Aussie defender Ersan Gulum was back after a few weeks out as Adanaspor drew 0-0 with Konyaspor.

Onto cup action from Britain, Dean Bouzanis came to Accrington Stanley's rescue making a dramatic late save after being brought on as a substitute in their 2-2 FA Cup draw with Barnet.

Bouzanis, who only joined Stanley on loan last week, had to replace goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin on 43 minutes after he injured his thigh.

The Aussie was beaten by a late penalty but made a good save in a dramatic six minutes of injury-time. Meanwhile, Daniel Leach started and played 79 minues for Barnet. The winner of this tie will face third tier Gillingham.

Elsewhere in the FA Cup, Reading's Oliver Bozanic began life on loan at Aldershot as an 83rd minute substitute in their 0-0 draw at Tranmere. Gareth Edds put in a full shift for Rovers. The winner of this tie will face Premier League club Wolves.

Neil Kilkenny played a full game in midfield for Leeds, while Patty Kisnorbo was absent, as they rescued a 1-1 draw at Kettering. Should Leeds get through in the return-leg, they'll face a dream trip to Manchester United.

Former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos wasn't even in the Norwich City squad which opted for 17-year-old stopper Jed Steer as back-up on the bench as they lost 3-1 at Carlisle.

James Meredith put in a full 90 helping York City win through to a third round match at Stoke City after a 2-1 victory at Cambridge, while Scott Guyett's Bournemouth crashed out losing 2-1 to Notts County.

In the Scottish Cup, Simon Storey played a full game and Frankie Lagana came on as a 46th minute sub, as Airdrie qualified for the fourth round with a 4-0 win over Queen of the South.

Young Socceroo Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as Ayr United got past Highland League club Deveronvale 1-0, while Erik Paartalu played a full game and had a 30-yard second-half volley well saved as Morton drew 0-0 with Dumbarton.