Hallelujah

Just a quick one this week, I have exams to study for...

Reports surfaced yesterday that Mark Viduka had virtually retired from International football, before being quickly talked out of it by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.

The FFA even scheduled a press conference (which was due to take place this morning), only to cancel it at the last minute.

All I can say is, Hallelujah!

Mark obvioulsy wanted to retire in order to focus on club commitments (pre-season training at his new club, Newcastle United) - and of course to spend time with his family. You can certainly see why he was so close to giving away international football - it's probably been 3 years since he had a break from football, and to spend another Summer playing for the Socceroos probably seemed to much for Mark.

However, thank goodness Graham Arnold talked him out of it - such a legend of Australian football deserves to go out on top, and to go out only a few weeks before a major tournament would have been a shame, now Mark can have one last crack at winnning a major trophy at international level - indeed a major trophy at any level. Chances are his last game will be against Argentina, at the MCG on September 11. What a night that promises to be, particularly if Australia are also coming off victory at the Asian Cup.

If the Socceroos needed some extra motivation, ahead of the tournament, then to send Mark Viduka off in style should be more than enough. Hopefully Mark will also be captaining the side again, let's hope we see him lift that trophy - for a player who has achieved so much, yet has never won an important trophy in his career - that is something he richly deserves.

Hallelujah, Mark Viduka

Bye for now,
Matt

Edit: More revelations have come out today suggesting that really this whole silly incident was prehaps Graham Arnold's fault - and that Graham Arnold should not be seen as the 'hero' of this situation, but someone who was just able to clean up his own mess... What really matters is that the Duke will be there in July - also reports are suggesting he is very likely to be captain (great news) and that he may yet play on untill 2010 - let's hope so....