Mixed Fortunes For Socceroos In Italy

There was mixed fortunes for our Aussies in Italy with Socceroo keeper Zeljko Kalac and his Perugia team keeping their hopes of staying in the Serie A alive, but it was a different story for Empoli’s Vince Grella who are now relegated to the Serie B. In English play-off action, Paul Reid's Brighton team gained the upper hand over Swindon Town in th

There was mixed fortunes for our Aussies in Italy with Socceroo keeper Zeljko Kalac and his Perugia team keeping their hopes of staying in the Serie A alive, but it was a different story for Empoli-s Vince Grella who are now relegated to the Serie B.   Perugia-s 1-0 win over Ancona, coupled with Empoli-s and Modena-s loss, saw Perugia jump to 15th place and into the play-off spot with the 5th placed team from the Serie B.   Meanwhile Socceroo Mark Bresciano missed most of the action in Parma-s dramatic 4-3 win over Udinese. Bresciano was replaced at half time with the score still locked at 0-0, as his teammate Alberto Gilardino scored all his goals in an exciting second half. Parma has qualified for the UEFA Cup next season.   In Spain, Socceroo John Aloisi watched most of the action from the bench, as Osasuna-s slide continued, losing 2-1 at home to Athletico Bilbao. The loss ended their slim hopes of a UEFA Cup spot.   A number of players are in the thick of the action in the English promotion play-offs, with Joel Porter scoring for Hartlepool as they drew 1-1 at home with Luke Wilkshire-s Bristol City. In the other Division Two play-off semi final, Paul Reid (pictured above in blue and white strip) started for Brighton & Hove Albion as they won 1-0 away at Swindon Town.   On Friday night, Socceroo Tony Popovic helped Crystal Palace to a 3-2 win over Sunderland, with the return leg being played tonight.   In Scotland, Scott McDonald was on target for Motherwell as they lost 3-2 at Hearts, for whom Patrick Kisnorbo came on at half time.   Socceroo Paul Agostino-s 1860 Munich needs a win in its final game next weekend against Borussia Monchengladbach to have any chance of avoiding relegation. 1860 sits in second last position but one win away from safety and with a better goal difference.   There was disappointment for Australian Under 23 Brett Holman after Excelsior could only draw 1-1 in their final game at Helmond Sports and subsequently allowed Ben Bosch to draw level with them and win automatic promotion through a superior goal difference. Excelsior now goes into a play-off to try and win promotion back to the Dutch 1st Division.