Rukavytsya scores for FC Twente

Former Perth Glory striker Nikita Rukavytsya came off the bench for new side FC Twente to score in a friendly match against German club Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Rukavytsya, who is in his first pre-season with the Dutch outfit, scored the club-s second goal in the 71st minute after being thrust into action after half time.

His goal gave Twente a 2-0 win over Germans and it came at a perfect time with Qantas Socceroos Coach Pim Verbeek in the stands to see the young Australian play.

“If I have caught his eye then great but this was only a warm-up game and I know that if I-m not playing regularly then I won-t be any hope of doing enough to be selected for the World Cup squad next year,” Rukavytsya said.

After 10 electrifying goals for Perth Glory last season Rukavytsya was snapped up during the January transfer window and featured several times in The Reds 2009/10 campaign which saw them finish second in the top-flight Eredivisie.

With Australia gaining qualification for the FIFA World Cup next year this season looms as a vital one for Rukavytsya who is hoping to force his way into the Socceroos squad after being part of Olyroos squad at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

“If I can break through this year then I-m a chance (of playing for the Socceroos) because it would be a big step for me to be a first teamer at such a good club as Twente,” said Rukavytsya.

FC Twente 2 (Brouwers 62-(og), Rukavytsya 71-)
Borussia Mönchengladbach 0
Attendance: 2,500

Referee: Bas Nijhuis

Yellow Cards: Brouwers (Borussia Mönchengladbach)

FC Twente: Boschker, Bannink, Douglas, Wisgerhof, Kuiper (Heubach 72-); Brama, Perez (Akram 63-), Janssen; Denneboom (Rukavytsya 46-), NKufo (De Jong 74-), Vujicevic (Cuevas 57-)

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Heimeroth, Levels (Jantschke 81-), Brouwers, Dante (Kleine 46-), Daems (Jaures 81-); Meeuwis, Marx (Neustädter 71-), Reus (Dorda 61-); Neuville (Babadilla 46-), Matmour (Lamidi 61-), Colautti (Bäcker 71-)