Australia news

Bresciano ready to end exile

February 22, 2012

A recent heart-to-heart with Australia coach Holger Osieck has convinced midfielder Mark Bresciano to end his 18-month exile from the national team.

Mark Bresciano
GettyImagesMark Bresciano is keen to return

Estranged by choice and circumstance from the Socceroos since the 2010 World Cup, Bresciano has been named in Osieck's 19-man squad for next Wednesday's third-round World Cup Asian qualifier against Saudi Arabia at AAMI Park.

Osieck believes the 32-year-old is mentally ready to add to his 57 appearances for his country since his debut back in 2001.

''On our last commitment in the Middle East, I had a chance to have a chat with him and we could sort out a lot of things - a lot of stuff that I wasn't aware of,'' Osieck said.

''It was a very good conversation and due to the fact that he plays regularly for his club team (Al Nasr in the United Arab Emirates), I decided to bring him in and see what he can provide on the pitch for us.

''Mark has been around the block for quite a while and I still expect from him that he can help our team.''

Osieck was non-committal when asked whether Bresciano would be in the selection frame for the 2014 World Cup.

''What happens in another two and a half years, in football it's eternity,'' he said. ''I just have to focus on the actual situation and what may be after is a different story.''