Sportal
The Socceroos selection panel will need to cover the imminent retirements of a number of its key players in the coming months, and now is the time for the Australian-based talent to stake claims for national selection according to interim coach Graham Arnold.
Speaking from a Socceroos training camp - made up entirely of Hyundai A-League players - in Melbourne on Tuesday, Arnold made it clear that the Australian team is about to face a major overhaul, and has put younger players on notice to make an impression sooner rather than later.
"I still believe there'll be a considerable amount of retirements," said Arnold, who is preparing the national side to take on Kuwait in Sydney next week as part of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
"No one's come out and said that yet, but I'm pretty sure when the dust settles, there will be quite a few.
"This will be the first opportunity to impress me and whoever comes in (as the Socceroos' new coach), because whoever comes in will see the DVDs of the game and this is their best opportunity to show them."
Australian skipper Mark Viduka, 30, rugged defenders Craig Moore (30) and Tony Popovic (32) are reportedly considering their long-term futures with the Socceroos, as are Perth Glory winger Stan Lazaridis (33) - who missed Tuesday's session but is considered a chance for the Kuwait game - and reserve goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac (33).
While the Socceroos will rely on an inexperienced international group for the match against Kuwait, Arnold said that he is excited that a number of 'first-choice' team members are likely to make themselves available for the final Asian Cup qualifier against Bahrain in Sydney on October 11.
"If I'm in charge of that game, I'll welcome them back with open arms," said Arnold.
An international friendly to be played in Australia has also been mooted for October to coincide with the qualifier.
Of the 21-man squad that are in Melbourne preparing for the Kuwait clash, only Melbourne striker Archie Thompson and Sydney FC's Mark Milligan were a part of the Australian World Cup squad.