Caltex Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan has continued his impressive run of form overnight, helping FC Genk to a big win in the Belgian Pro League.
Ryan – on loan from Spanish La Liga outfit Valencia – kept a clean sheet as FC Genk surged to a 4-0 victory over Westerlo at the Het Kuipje.
Goals to Mbwana Samatta, Thomas Buffel, Omar Colley and Ruslan Malinovskiy helped Albert Stuivenberg’s side move to within a point of sixth-placed Sporting Charleroi.
In positive signs ahead of the Caltex Socceroos’ upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, since moving on loan in January, Ryan has started in six matches in the league for Genk and kept an impressive three clean sheets.
The shot-stopper also saved a crucial penalty in Genk’s 5-2 win over Gent in their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first-leg tie last week.
Ryan's penalty save in Genk's Europa League win
Genk host their Belgian rivals in the return leg on Friday (AEDT) with Ryan out to help his side secure their first-ever appearance in the quarter finals of the European competition.
Meanwhile, former Adelaide United midfielder James Jeggo got through a full 90 minutes as his Sturm Graz outfit earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rapid Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga overnight.
Jeggo picked up a yellow card early in the second stanza as his side closed to within two points of third-placed Graz and eight adrift of league-leaders Salzburg.
In Holland, Jason Davidson played a full game but could do little as FC Groningen fell to a 3-1 loss away to Roda JC.
The Caltex Socceroos tackle UAE in a crucial World Cup Qualifier in Sydney on March 28. Click here for tickets