Viduka commits to Australia
Mark Viduka has pledged his future commitment to Australia and is determined to lead his country into the next World Cup finals.
Viduka last night buried the hatchet with the Australian Soccer Association following the fall-out which occurred in the wake of his withdrawal from last month’s friendly game in Venezuela.
The ASA chose to invoke FIFA’s five-day rule against one of their top stars, resulting in Viduka missing a vital Barclaycard Premiership match for Leeds at Manchester United.
There were rumours Viduka would quit international football, and this week the 28-year-old conceded such thoughts had crossed his mind.
But Viduka was back in action for the Socceroos last night, setting up the only goal of a 1-0 friendly victory over South Africa at Loftus Road.
Viduka is to now play against Turkey in two further friendlies in Australia in May and, in a further show of support, claims he is confident the new ASA regime of chief executive John O’Neill and chairman Frank Lowy are heading in the right direction.
“I’m not one to hold grudges,” insisted Viduka on leedsunited.com.
“I genuinely think what they (O’Neill and Lowy) will do for the game is going to be good. The players are all behind them.”
Viduka then outlined his World Cup ambitions, adding: “It was good to be back in the squad and I was happy being back with the lads.
“When you look at the national team, I would do anything to play in a World Cup for Australia. I think we deserve to go.”
