Football
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Aaron Mooy, Maty Ryan, Massimo Luongo in form as Australia duty looms

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou will be mostly pleased with the scouting report on his players ahead of World Cup qualifying duty this week.

Aaron Mooy helped keep Premier League newboys Huddersfield Town riding high.

Regular Socceroo starters Massimo Luongo, Bailey Wright, Tom Rogic and Mat Leckie played full matches for their European clubs.

And goalkeepers Mat Ryan and Danny Vukovic kept their first clean sheets at their new homes.

But there are others who haven't enjoyed run-outs and could come into camp at Saitama underdone.

Australia face Japan on Thursday with qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on the line.

Mitchell Langerak hasn't played for club side Stuttgart this season and appears likely to be a second-choice gloveman in Germany this season.

Trent Sainsbury's Jiangsu Suning didn't play at the weekend, nor did Sharjah FC -- Ryan McGowan's new club.

Given their situations, Postecoglou will be pleased with Milos Degenek contributing to a clean sheet for FC Yokohama and Wright's form.

Wright helped Bristol City hold Aston Villa -- without sidelined Australian skipper Mile Jedinak -- to a 1-1 draw in the English Championship.

There will be few concerns for Brad Smith or Jackson Irvine, despite the pair missing out on the weekend.

Irvine was left out of Burton Albion's match as the young gun looks to complete a multi-million dollar transfer to fellow Championship side Hull City.

Smith was an onlooker as Bournemouth lost to Manchester City, although the left-sided defender did play mid-week in the League Cup.

Mustafa Amini played 90 minutes for Danish club AGF, while Awer Mabil was sent off after 45 minutes in action for his Portuguese club Pacos de Ferreira.

Tomi Juric and Robbie Kruse's clubs are scheduled to play on Sunday, delaying their arrival into camp.

Mooy helped Huddersfield maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 0-0 draw against Southampton.

Ryan's Brighton are off the mark with their first Premier League point after a goalless draw with Watford.

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