Front Page Football

Breathing it, discussing it, promoting it. Australian football lives here at Front Page Football.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Mitch Duke has still got it 🇯🇵🇦🇺⚽️

He may have retired from international football but Australian forward Mitch Duke is still scoring goals for his @FcMachidaZelvia side ⚫️🔵

Earlier today, the 35-year-old played 86 minutes and scored the match-winner for Machida Zelvia in their 1-0 away win over Vissel Kobe in the J League Cup quarter-finals. Duke pounced on the goalkeeper's fumble to give Machida Zelvia a one-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the tie.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

#ICYMI

A former @nplvictoria forward leads the Golden Boot race in an Asian top-division league with a 77% goal contribution rate for his club 👀🇰🇭

Great to see former South Melbourne attacker Manny Aguek settling into Asia with his new side Angkor Tiger as the 26-year-old leads the Golden Boot race in the Cambodian Premier League 🔝⚽️

After leaving South Melbourne on the back of their success in the Australian Championship, Aguek has had stints in Thailand and Malta but struggled for gametime abroad. Now in the Cambodian top flight, Aguek is in red-hot form with eight goals scored alongside two assists in just seven league matches ⚪️🟠

With a 77% goal contribution rate for his club, Aguek is helping his side compete for the Cambodian Premier League title as Angkor Tiger sit in fourth position and five points behind league leaders Visakha.

📸: Pagonis Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Do the Socceroos struggle against Gulf countries? 🤔🟢🟡

The last time the Socceroos faced Qatar was back in 2014 as Qatar claimed a 1-0 win at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. On Friday night local time, the two nations are set to face each other in Doha with Australia looking to improve its recent record against Gulf opposition. In fact, the Socceroos don't have the best record against Gulf nations with few wins that stretch back to November 2021.

Here is Australia's record against Gulf nations since November 2021: 👇

0-0D vs Saudi Arabia (2022 WCQ) 🇸🇦
2-2D vs Oman (2022 WCQ) 🇴🇲
0-1L vs Saudi Arabia (2022 WCQ) 🇸🇦
2-1W vs United Arab Emirates (2022 WCQ) 🇦🇪
2-0W vs Bahrain (friendly) 🇧🇭
0-1L vs Bahrain (2026 WCQ) 🇧🇭
0-0D vs Saudi Arabia (2026 WCQ) 🇸🇦
2-2D vs Bahrain (2026 WCQ) 🇧🇭
2-1W vs Saudi Arabia (2026 WCQ) 🇸🇦

The Socceroos have won three from their past nine matches against Gulf countries which include Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

📸: JC Sports Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Opposition watch - Qatar 🇶🇦

On Friday afternoon local time, the Socceroos are set to take on back-to-back Asian Cup holders Qatar in Doha. The Qatari men's national team have been a strong force within Asian competitions winning the 2019 and 2023 AFC Asian Cups, however in their two previous World Cup tournaments, they have crushed out in the group stages.

Here is a look at Qatar's past seven matches in all competitions: 👇

1-1D vs Switzerland 🇨🇭
0-6L vs Canada 🇨🇦
1-3L vs Bosnia & Herzegovina 🇧🇦
2-0W vs Bahrain 🇧🇭
1-0W vs Yemen 🇾🇪
1-1D vs United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪
0-0D vs Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

Under Spanish head coach Julen Lopetegui, Qatar's record has been poor with the former Premier League manager winning just four matches from nineteen.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

From the NPL to AFCON Qualifiers 🇪🇷🇦🇺

@prestonlionsfc defender Jamal Ali and SD Raiders defender Yonatan Sebhatu have both been called up to represent the Eritrean national team ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Guinea 🟢🔴🔵

In the upcoming November international window, Eritrea take on Guinea twice with one match in Conakry and the second match in Cairo. Despite a loss against South Africa on matchday two of AFCON qualifying, Eritrea have been going through a nice period of results with wins against Eswatini in the prelimnary stages and a 1-1 away draw against 114th-ranked Kenya.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Was John Iredale unfairly snubbed from a Socceroos call up? 🤔🟢🟡

Australian forward John Iredale is currently undergoing one of the best forms of his professional career as he consistently scores for his Gwangju FC side in the South Korean top flight 🇰🇷🟡🔴

The 27-year-old has scored eleven goals with two assists from 19 league matches for the club including back-to-back doubles against Daejeon Hana Citizen and Bucheon FC. Overall during his time in South Korea for both Gwangju FC and Seoul E-Land FC, Iredale has played 51 matches in all competitions with 23 goals scored and four assists.

The two-cap Socceroo was not called up by head coach Tony Popovic ahead of the November international window where Australia is set to take on Qatar and Jordan.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

📸: @Pagonis98

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

The best football tournament you've never heard of? 🤔👀

It's full of families, emotions, colours and celebrations, and features some of the brightest talents in Australia going head-to-head against each other. This is the AFCON Cup in South Australia 👏🇦🇺🌏

The annual AFCON Cup took place in Adelaide recently and showcased some of the best football talent anywhere in the country. It's a tournament that is getting stronger and growing in popularity every year. Players such as Kusini Yengi, Mohamed Touré and Thomas Deng have all previously featured in this annual tournament with the next generation coming through in front of South Australian eyes.

Regarding the 2026 edition, it was South Sudan who defeated Somalia in the men's final and Liberia taking out the women's final over South Sudan 🇸🇸🇱🇷🏆

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Could Graham Arnold's time at Iraq come to an end? 🤔🇮🇶🇦🇺

According to @gemyyy72, the Iraq FA is in negotiations with former Egypt national team manager Hossam Hassan to take over the Iraq men's national team 🔴⚪️⚫️

Despite helping Iraq qualify for their first men's FIFA World Cup in 40 years, it hasn't been a good run of results for Arnold as Iraq head coach. Iraq finished as the worst team in the tournament and suffered an early group stage exit in the Gulf Cup.

In the November international window, Iraq host Lebanon and Iran in Basra.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

#ICYMI

A strong Aussie influence between Sri Lanka and Bhutan in the 2026 SAFF Championship 🇱🇰🇧🇹🇦🇺

The 2026 SAFF Championship is underway as South Asian nations look to lift regional silverware. Recently, Sri Lanka took on Bhutan with a strong Australian-based influence in the 2-2 draw in Dhaka.

For Sri Lanka, William Thomason (Olympic FC), Barath Suresh (Langwarrin), Oliver Kelaart (Altona Magic), Wade Dekker (Dandenong City SC) and former NPL Victoria player Rahul Suresh all featured for their nation. It was Oliver Kelaart who scored Sri Lanka's first goal of the match as well 🇱🇰

For Bhutan, Australian manager Gary Phillips was the head coach for the Dragon Boys with Balga SC defender Tenzin Norbu playing the entire match 🇧🇹

On the next matchday, hosts Bangaldesh take on Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka must avoid a losing margin higher than two to advance to the knockout stage.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

OFFICIAL - John Aloisi sacked by Chengdu Rongcheng 🇨🇳🇦🇺🚨

Less than two days after Chengdu Rongcheng gave up their monster advantage in the Chinese Super League title race, John Aloisi has been sacked by the club ❌

At one stage of the season, the former A-Leagues manager had his Chengdu Rongcheng side have an 18-point advantage at the top of the CSL ladder but failed on the final matchday of the season via head-to-head record against Dalian Yingbo.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

With all the attention on John Aloisi in China, some people could get carried away from the other Australian managers who finished the season strongly and were just a few points away from the Chinese Super League title 🇨🇳🇦🇺

A big shoutout to Australian managers Nick Montgomery and Kevin Muscat on leading their sides to a 3rd and 5th place finish respectively. For Monty's Beijing Guoan, had it not been for the -5pt deduction handed to the club, Beijing Guoan would have been crowned champions of the top tier of Chinese men's football 🟢⚪️

Both Nick Montgomery and Kevin Muscat will square off in two weeks as Beijing Guoan host Shanghai Port in the semi-finals of the Chinese FA Cup, with the winner advancing to the final and taking on Yunnan Yukun in Suzhou. Furthermore, both managers remain in contention to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2026/27 ACL Elite.

Looking across the Chinese Super League and Australian manager Ross Aloisi was able to finish in 9th position for his Zhejiang FC side, however in a club statement, Zhejiang FC have confirmed that Ross Aloisi and his coaching staff will not remain at the club for season 2027.

📸: JC Sports Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

#ICYMI

Mid-week: free-kick in the @TheAFCCL Elite ⚽️
Weekend: first @J_League_En goal ⚽️

What a great few days it has been for Australian attacker Eli Adams as he settles into Japanese and continental football for his @GAMBA_OFFICIAL side 🇯🇵🇦🇺

It's now two goals in back-to-back matches for the club with an amazing free-kick scored in the ACL Elite against Pohang Steelers and just recently a fantastic curling goal in the league against Cerezo Osaka ⚫️🔵

For Adams, it's now two goals and two assists across the J League and Asian Champions League Elite competitions as attention shifts to the international window for Australia.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

A first goal for Eli Adams in @GAMBA_OFFICIAL colours 🇯🇵🇦🇺

Fantastic to see Australian attacker Eli Adams score his first goal for Gamba Osaka as the @J_League_En outfit drew 3-3 in the @TheAFCCL Elite ⚫️🔵

The 24-year-old started and played 72 minutes for Gamba Osaka, and scored their second goal in their 3-3 away draw to K League 1 side Pohang Steelers. Unfortunately, the former Newcastle Jets player was subbed off after 72 minutes due to injury which could rule him out for Socceroos selection ahead of the upcoming November window.

📸: JC Sports Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

#ICYMI

Hrustic gets on the scoresheet in the UAE as he enjoys positive spell for @ALNasrSC 🇦🇪🇦🇺

Australian attacker Ajdin Hrustic is having a solid first season for his Al-Nasr SC side in the United Arab Emirates and today he scored the club's 700th goal in their @UAEProLeague history 🔵⚪️

Earlier today, the Socceroo played 90 minutes and scored Al-Nasr SC's first goal in their 4-1 win over United FC in Dubai. It's now back-to-back league wins for Hrustic and Al-Nasr SC as the club sit in 7th position on the UAE Pro League ladder.

Overall, Hrustic has featured across plenty of competitions for Al-Nasr SC with goals and assists across Emirati and Gulf competitions. Here are his stats below: 👇

- 13 games played (all competitions)
- Five goals scored and one assist
- Two confirmed Player of the Match awards

📸: JC Sports Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Is Savarese on limited time at Melbourne Victory? ⌛️🇻🇪

Melbourne Victory head coach Giovanni Savarese has recorded just one win across eight matches in the A-League Men's and Asian Champions League Two competitions, and with a cup defeat to NPL heavyweights South Melbourne, the 55-year-old could be in real trouble of keeping his job down under ⚫️🔵⚪️

Here have been Savarese's matches as head coach for Melbourne Victory across the A-League Men's and ACL Two competitions: 👇

A-League Men's:
1-2L vs Wellington Phoenix
1-1D vs Melbourne City
1-1D vs Central Coast Mariners
2-2D vs Adelaide United

ACL Two:
1-1D vs Thể Công–Viettel
3-0W vs FC Seoul
0-2L vs Persib
1-2L vs Persib

📸: Brock Pearson Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

An Aussie in the States features in a comeback for the ages as progress to Conference final 🇺🇸🇦🇺

Australian midfielder Zach Duncan is off to the @USLChampionship Eastern Conference final as he was part of a historic and dramatic comeback for his @loucityfc side 🟣⚪️

The 26-year-old was subbed onto the pitch in the 78th minute when Louisville City were trailing 0-2 to Miami FC. Within the span of those twelve minutes plus injury time, Louisville City managed to overturn their deficit and score in injury time to win 3-2 ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Duncan and Louisville City are now set to take on Charleston Battery in South Carolina in the Eastern Conference final.

[USL Championship @USLChampionship]

MADNESS IN KENTUCKY 🤯

TOLA SHOWUNMI WINS IT AT THE DEATH FOR LOUCITY 😱

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

A man-of-the-match performance from Ryan sees @LevanteUD keep a clean sheet in Galicia 🇪🇸🇦🇺👏

Australia international Mathew Ryan produced a fantastic performance in goals for his Levante UD side as the Valencia-based outfit recorded a 0-0 away draw to Celta Vigo 🔵🔴

It's Ryan's third clean sheet in the 2026/27 @LaLiga season as the draw sees Levante UD sit one point above the relegation positions. Up next for Ryan and Levante after the November international window is a trip south to take on Elche.

📸: JC Sports Photography

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Stensness plays the entire match for @vikingfotball as they continue push to defend league title 🇳🇴🇦🇺

Great to see Australia international Gianni Stensness feature for his Viking FK side in their big home win to go top of the @eliteserien 🔵⚫️

The Socceroo played the entire match for Viking in their 5-1 win over KFUM Oslo. The result means that Viking leapfrog Bodo/Glimt into first position on the ladder; just two goals separate both sides with four league matches to go.

Furthermore, Viking FK have confirmed their status regarding next season's Champions League qualification. They will be either in the play-off round or second qualifying round depending on their league finish.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Title dreams evaporated as John Aloisi and his Chengdu Rongcheng suffer one of the biggest lead chokes in modern football history 🇨🇳🇦🇺😬🚨

At one stage during the 2026 Chinese Super League season, John Aloisi's Chengdu Rongcheng side were sitting 18 points clear at the top of the league table. They just needed one point from their final few league matches to be crowned champions. However, an unprecedented run of poor form has seen Aloisi's side sensationally give up a very strong advantage and finish second on the competition ladder after 30 matchdays.

Chengdu Rongcheng's 3-2 loss to Shandong Taishan and Dalian Yingbo's 3-1 win over Tianjin Jinmen Tiger means that John Aloisi and his side finish second for the 2026 CSL season.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

Mauk gets the winning assist as Công an Hà Nội inflict pain to Diles and Công An Hồ Chí Minh City 🇻🇳🇦🇺🅰️

It's been a great spell for Australian midfielder Stefan Mauk and his Công an Hà Nội side as he managed to get an assist to his name in their home win 👏

Công an Hà Nội claimed a 2-1 win over Arthur Diles' Công An Hồ Chí Minh City to move into second position on the competition ladder. Mauk and his side trail by two points to league leaders Nam Dinh.

[Front Page Football @FrontPgFootball]

An Aussie writes history for his side in the @TheAFCCL 🇻🇳🇦🇺👏

A big shoutout to Australian midfielder Stefan Mauk who helped his Công An Hà Nội side record their first-ever Asian Champions League Elite proper win 🔴⚪️

The 31-year-old midfielder played 88 minutes as Công An Hà Nội claimed a 3-2 away win over Kevin Muscat's Shanghai Port side. It's the first time that Công An Hà Nội have won an ACL Elite league phase match and sees the V League 1 outfit ahead of sides such as Buriram United, Pohang Steelers and Ratchaburi on the league phase ladder.

Up next for Mauk and Công An Hà Nội in the ACL Elite is a home match against J League side Kyoto Sanga.

📸: Pagonis Photography