Ross Papadakis 
Jamie Maclaren in action during his time at Melbourne City. Photo supplied by Melbourne City.
Our Aussies have been making waves abroad, with standout performances across various leagues and competitions.
Australian footballers made significant strides this week, with Jamie Maclaren and Alex Robertson leading their teams to crucial victories in their respective leagues.
Meanwhile, Mitch Langerak bid farewell to Nagoya Grampus after an impressive career, and Cam Burgess stepped onto the Premier League stage with Ipswich Town.
Maclaren Stars in Mohun Bagan’s Kolkata Derby Victory
Jamie Maclaren’s debut season with Mohun Bagan Super Giant is off to a promising start, as he played a pivotal role in the team’s 2-0 victory over East Bengal FC in the first Kolkata derby of the 2024-25 Indian Super League season.
His opening goal helped the Mariners maintain their unbeaten streak against their arch-rivals, extending it to nine matches. Maclaren expressed his satisfaction with securing the win but emphasised that his ultimate goal is to win trophies with the team.
“It’s just better to get the three points. I came here to win trophies,” Maclaren said.
“It’s such a great group, and there’s no better feeling than scoring and celebrating with the fans, but also with my amazing teammates”
Maclaren’s scoring touch has been key, as he has now netted goals in consecutive matches, contributing to Mohun Bagan’s current 3rd-place position in the ISL.
Dimitri Petratos also made an impact, scoring from the penalty spot just 19 minutes after coming on as a substitute. Meanwhile, Jason Cummings featured briefly, playing only the final minute of the game.
Robertson’s Edge-of-the-Box Wonder Goal Powers Cardiff to Victory
With the departure of former manager Erol Bulut, Alex Robertson has become a regular starter in the midfield under new manager Omer Riza, having played the full 90 minutes in four of their last five matches.
Robertson played a key role in Cardiff City’s recent 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle, marking their second win of the EFL Championship season.
His stunning goal from the edge of the box opened the scoring, showcasing his talent and contribution to the team.
In their mid-week fixture, Robertson started and featured in Cardiff’s 2-0 victory over Portsmouth, being substituted off after 66 minutes.
Mitch Langerak Bids Goodbye
Mitch Langerak’s incredible journey in Japan has just about come to a close. After seven unforgettable years with Nagoya Grampus, he left with an emotional farewell.
Hailing from Queensland, he left Australia at 21 and made his way to Japan at 30, where he became the first Australian to reach 200 J.League appearances.
In 2020, he made history by achieving 21 clean sheets, the highest ever for a goalkeeper in Japan’s top division, and setting a remarkable record for the longest period without conceding a goal—an impressive 823 minutes.
A League Cup winner in 2021 and a J.League Best XI selection, he returns to the Melbourne Victory in January as a true legend of Nagoya Grampus.
With 4 league games remaining Nagoya Grampus can climb to as high as 4th place if results go their way.
They play Thomas Deng’s Albirex Niigata in the J.League Cup final to hopefully top off a relatively successful season.
Burgess’ Premier League Debut
In his English Premier League debut, Cam Burgess played the full match for Ipswich Town as they faced a tough challenge against Everton, ultimately falling 2-0 on Sunday (AEDT).
Having enjoyed three seasons of consistent playing time, Burgess had found himself waiting for opportunities in England’s top tier this season.
Despite the loss, he made a notable impact on the game, winning eight out of ten duels and demonstrating solid defensive skills throughout. His performance was a testament to his readiness for the Premier League after his time in the lower divisions.
Ipswich Town, currently positioned in 17th place in the standings, will look to build on Burgess’s promising debut as they navigate a challenging season.