Young excellence, promotion battles, and a happy farewell: The Australian team of the week from players around the globe
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
Veteran defender Mark Milligan will lead the Socceroos in next year’s Asian Cup after being named as the national team’s new captain.
The 33-year-old was confirmed as the replacement for retired midfielder Mile Jedinak by coach Graham Arnold on Saturday.
Milligan will lead the team in Saturday’s friendly against South Korea in Brisbane as well as Tuesday’s clash with Lebanon in Sydney.
Milligan will also be captain when Australia defend their Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates starting in January.
“We have had many great leaders over the years, who I both played alongside and admired as I grew up watching the national team. It is a huge honour to be joining them,” Milligan said.
“We have a great challenge ahead of us at the AFC Asian Cup but we will travel to the UAE in the knowledge that we are well prepared.
“We have some exciting new players in the squad as well as some players who have been around the national team for a long time, which provides a good balance.”
Arnold had been weighing up several options for the captaincy after Jedinak’s retirement after this year’s World Cup.
Milligan led the team in last month’s friendly against Kuwait but defender Trent Sainsbury, goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and wingers Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse were also thought to be in the mix for the role.
“Mark has been a part of the national team for 12 years now,” Arnold said.
“His leadership on and off the park shines through every day.”
Milligan is a two-time A-League championship winner after spells with Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory and is currently plying his trade with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…