Luongo found the net twice in the first half as Town beat fellow Aussie James Meredith’s Bradford 2-1 to keep their promotion push to the English Championship very much alive.
And it was only a stunning save from Bantams ‘keeper Jordan Pickford in the second half which denied Luongo what would have been a superb hat-trick.
16 - Stunner from Town's Socceroo!! Luongo drives into the box and finds the bottom corner with a brilliant strike! #STFC
— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) February 24, 2015After missing Swindon’s last two matches – which they lost – with a hamstring strain, Luongo underlined his importance to the side with a match-winning display.
The 22-year-old’s first goal came after just 16 minutes, running at the Bradford defence and surging into the box before unleashing a powerful low drive into the corner of the net.
Luongo only had to wait 18 minutes for his second, arriving into the box at the perfect time to lash home a loose ball.
What a finish that was. No hat-trick in the end though. Mass Luongo settles for a double. 2-1 Swindon.
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) February 24, 2015This latest display from Luongo will only increase interest in the classy midfielder, with a host of clubs sure to be chasing his signature come the off-season.
Socceroos defender Ryan McGowan was also amongst the goals, scoring his first for new club Dundee United in a 1-1 draw at home to third-placed Inverness.
While it was a great night for a couple of Aussies, there was disappointment for another with Socceroo gloveman Adam Federici’s Reading soundly beaten.
Federici conceded three times as Reading lost heavily 3-0 at Huddersfield Town.
Fellow Aussie shot-stopper Mitch Langerak was on the bench for Borussia Dortmund, who went down 2-1 to Juventus in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash in Turin.
Elsewhere, Bailey Wright played a full match as Preston North End beat Walsall 1-0, with Neil Kilkenny coming on as a late substitute.