Aussies Abroad - Second Edition

It's been some sort of a miserable week for Tim Cahill and his Everton team mates. After a wretched home loss to Wigan last weekend, the misery was compounded as the Toffees crashed out of Europe completely last night.

Though Cahill's goal was enough to beat Dinamo Bucharesti, Everton lost 5-2 on aggregate after a horrendous performance in the first leg in Romania.

Mark Viduka and Mark Schwarzer had every right to be downcast on Monday morning after Boro's dismal 2-0 loss to Sunderland. Manager Steve McClaren's best laid plans went awry after just two minutes when Tommy Miller scored.

But despite the Sunday performance which led to the players being booed off, Middlesbrough came out on Thursday night desperate to prove themselves worthy of Europe. The Teesiders held a two goal advantage over Greek side Xanthi after the first leg and were happy to settle for a scoreless draw in the second leg to ensure their progression.

Moving east to the Belgian Jupiler League and Australian striker Clayton Zane has been forced to consider retiring from Anderlecht and professional football after a long term knee injury failed to heal. Zane has been in the stands at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium since November after he moved to Anderlecht in 2002. The last few years of his career have been plagued by injuries and Zane is due to meet with Anderlecht management next week. It is expected that both parties will agree to a mutual termination of his contract.

But as one career appears to be coming to an end, another Australian is set to flourish in the Dutch city of Eindhoven. Jason Culina has been plying his trade with FC Twente this season, but has attracted interest from a number of other clubs. Guus Hiddink has cast an eye over the Australian in training with the Socceroos and believes he will make the perfect addition to his PSV squad.

Culina agreed personal terms on Wednesday and FC Twente have now revealed that Culina is indeed leaving. Twente spokesman Edwin Van Lenthe said that both clubs had reached a satisfactory deal and Culina could be free to play for PSV against Heerenveen this weekend. He will join Australian goalkeeper Nathan Coe at the Philips Stadion.

In Switzerland, Scott Chipperfield left the pitch half an hour early via a red card in Basel's 1-1 draw with Young Boys.

Zeljko Kalac will have to satisfy himself with a place on the bench for now, as his AC Milan team mates accounted for Treviso 2-0. Kalac will find it hard work trying to oust current number one Dida, but in the event of an injury, Kalac could get the nod.

In Scotland, Scott McDonald's Motherwell side lost 3-1 to Hibernian while Adrian Madaschi's Dundee side played out a scoreless draw with Ross County.

Heading south to Spain and John Aloisi's Deportivo Alaves side lost 3-0 at home to Real Madrid. A brace from Ronaldo and Guti's last minute strike was enough to sink Aloisi's team.

Finally to Germany where Frank Juric's Hannover 96 side were outclassed 2-0 by Schalke O4. Brazilian Lincoln and new signing Kevin Kuranyi hit the net to condemn Hannover to thirteenth place on the Bundesliga table.

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