Kusini Yengi made his first appearance for Portsmouth and the former Western Sydney Wanderers forward capped the display with a hat-trick.
Yengi swapped the Isuzu UTE A-League for the third tier of English football – League One – after the Wanderers received an undisclosed fee for the 24-year-old earlier this month.
The A-Leagues graduate made his debut on Saturday, albeit in a friendly, as Portsmouth crushed League Two outfit Crawley 9-1 in a behind-closed-doors fixture.
In a match split into four 30-minute periods, Yengi scored three goals in 22 minutes during the fourth and final stanza.
“Kusini got 45 minutes for us and we’ve managed him carefully after a hectic few weeks flying over from Australia and getting settled in down in Portsmouth,” said Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho.
“He looks an exciting prospect and it’s early doors for him, but it’s a pretty good start to his career with us.
“We’re pleased with his finishing and he also had one cleared off the line.
Featured image: Portsmouth FC
Ryan’s stunning reception in Bruges
It is safe to say Maty Ryan is still a fan favourite at Club Brugge after the Socceroos captain returned to the club for a friendly on Saturday.
Back in Bruges, though in opposing colours with Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, the Australian goalkeeper received a warm welcome from the Belgian supporters and was mobbed by fans post-match after his side ran out 2-1 winners.
As Ryan and AZ walked on the field, the A-Leagues product was greeted by a huge banner in his honour.
After the match, he was signing autographs and posing for photos. He also addressed the crowd as they sang his name.
The 31-year-old joined Brugge in 2013 and spent two years at the club, where he won the 2014-15 Belgian Cup and was twice named the Belgium Pro League’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
“This was a game I was looking forward to. I just want to thank you all for the continued support,” he told supporters. “Since I left here, it’s always been very close to my heart.
“It was a special feeling come back here. Thank you very much.”
