An ALW legend scores in the UWCL as a Roo haunts Rangers again: KEEPUP Beyond the A-Leagues

From the Women’s Champions League and Scottish Premiership, to the Danish Superliga and NPL. KEEPUP has you covered on all the Aussie-related news outside the A-Leagues.

Roar great steers her club through in Europe

SK Brann are still alive in the UEFA Women’s Championship after defeating ZFK Spartak 3-1 in qualifying.

Brisbane Roar and A-League Women legend Tameka Yallop scored Brann’s second goal of the match to give the visitors a 2-0 lead on Sunday (Monday AEST).

Yallop and Norwegian outfit Brann advanced to Round 2 of UWCL qualifying, along with Joe Montemurro’s Juventus.

Treble victors under ALW-winning manager Montemurro, last season’s quarter-finalists were too good for Kiryat Gat SC 3-1.

However, it wasn’t good news for Manchester City’s Australian trio.

Ex-Adelaide United sensation Mary Fowler started, while Hayley Raso and Alanna Kennedy were on the bench as City were eliminated 1-0 by Real Madrid.

Cooney-Cross making a splash in Sweden

She won the ALW Championship with Melbourne Victory last season. Now Kyra Cooney-Cross is dazzling with Hammarby.

Cooney-Cross was a shining light in Sunday’s derby, named Player of the Match as Hammarby claimed bragging rights against Djurgarden 3-0.

Fellow ALW graduates Courtney Nevin and Elise Kellond-Knight were also in the starting XI alongside Cooney-Cross.

Rangers can’t stand the sight of this Socceroo

When it comes to Martin Boyle and Rangers, the Australia international loves playing against the Glasgow giants.

He was at it again on Saturday, haunting Rangers with his fourth goal in two games against nine-man Gers as Hibernian secured a last-gasp 2-2 draw in the Scottish Premiership.

Former Central Coast Mariners star Lewis Miller came off the bench to make his debut for Hibs.

It was a favour from Socceroo Boyle to Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side, who went on to beat Hearts 2-0 on Sunday (Monday AEST).

Defending champions Celtic moved two points clear as they maintained their perfect start to the season through four rounds, while extending their unbeaten streak in the league to 36 matches.

Aaron Mooy came off the bench for Postecoglou’s Celtic, who were too good for fellow Australians Kye Rowles, Nathaniel Atkinson and Cam Devlin.

Kerr up to her usual tricks

If her current form is anything to go by, we are in for another magical Sam Kerr season.

Kerr is in the running for the Ballon d’Or after scooping countless honours thanks to her exploits in Chelsea’s triumphant Women’s Super League 2021-22 campaign.

Preparing for the 2022-23 season, which kicks off next month, A-Leagues legend Kerr scored another memorable goal for Chelsea in their Women’s International Champions Cup campaign.

Kerr scooped the ball over the onrushing Lyon goalkeeper before Chelsea lost to the Champions League holders on penalties, though the Blues went on to edge Portland Thorns 1-0 in the third-place play-off.

Meanwhile, there will be another familiar face in the WSL this coming season after former Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC midfielder Clare Wheeler joined Everton, on loan from Fortuna Hjorring.

Ryan impressing early in Denmark

He made the move to FC Copenhagen in search of regular game time ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Mat Ryan produced two important saves in Copenhagen’s 2-1 Champions League first-leg play-off win over Trabzonspor during the week.

In his league bow, the former Mariners goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 victory at Lyngby as the defending Danish Superliga champions stayed four points off the pace.

Mabil’s first LaLiga start

Cadiz lost 2-0 to Osasuna but it was an unforgettable day for ex-Adelaide United winger Awer Mabil.

Mabil made his first LaLiga start for Cadiz, playing 62 minutes.

Elsewhere in Europe, fellow Socceroo Kenny Dougall set up a goal for Blackpool in their 3-3 Championship draw with Burnley.

Former A-Leagues midfielder James Jeggo made his return from injury, replacing fellow Aussie Jason Davidson in AS Eupen’s 3-1 defeat to RFC Seraing in Belgium’s top flight.

Club Brugge, where former A-League Men player and coach Paul Okon is assistant, defeated Kortrijk 2-1.

The clean sheet king of Japanese football, fan favourite Mitch Langerak produced another shutout as Nagoya Grampus topped Jubilo Iwata 1-0 in the J1 League.

NPLM NSW Grand Final is locked in

The stage is set for the NPL NSW Men Grand Final – Manly United will face Blacktown City in the decider

Blacktown booked their ticket in the final after edging Premiers Sydney Olympic 5-4 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

It was further shoot-out heartache for Olympic, who had fallen to Manly on penalties in the semi-final.

Manly – who have appointed former Mariners star Patrick Zwaanswijk as head coach for the 2023 season – and Blacktown will go head-to-head at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.

In NPLM VIC, Avondale FC missed out on the finals series.

Having pushed Brisbane Roar to penalties in the Australia Cup last 16, Avondale entered their showdown with Premiers South Melbourne fifth in the standings.

The top six advance to the finals but Avondale lost, opening the door for Heidelberg United to join Bentleigh Greens.

In NPLM SA, Premiers Adelaide City and Campbell Town City played out a goalless draw in the opening leg of their semi-final.

It comes after Adelaide Comets and MetroStars defeated Croydon Kings and Adelaide United in their respective elimination finals.

The NPLM WA title race will go down to the final day of the season following a dramatic weekend of action.

Floreat Athena drew 0-0 against Stirling Macedonia, who moved into second piosition.

That result opened the door for Perth RedStar but they were beaten 5-2 by Sorrento, with only two points separating the top three.