Socceroo defender Moore fails to arrive - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Socceroo defender Moore fails to arrive

By Philip Henderson 05/10/2006 12:12:18 AM Comments (0)

Football Federation Australia may take action against Socceroo Craig Moore after the veteran defender failed to arrive in Brisbane on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's friendly against Paraguay.

Moore was a notable absentee at interim coach Graham Arnold's first training session at Suncorp Stadium Wednesday afternoon, and had also been scheduled to take part in a children's football skills clinic earlier in the day along with five other Australian players.

The FFA released a statement saying Moore's failure to arrive in Brisbane was a breach of the national team players' agreement and code of conduct.

The statement said the FFA would investigate the matter with Moore to determine how the breach occurred before deciding whether action would be taken.

Moore, a former Socceroos skipper, was tipped to be handed the captain's armband for Saturday's friendly with World Cup skipper Mark Viduka unavailable for the Paraguay game and next Wednesday's Asian Cup qualifier.

It was believed Moore missed his flight to Brisbane.

Fellow defender Tony Popovic made sure he got to Australia in plenty of time, keen to end his Socceroos career on a high.

Popovic confirmed what most expected by announcing Wednesday he would retire from international football following Saturday's friendly against Paraguay at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

The 33-year-old, who made his Socceroos debut against Colombia in Brisbane 11 years ago, will join goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac, midfielder Stan Lazaridis and defender Tony Vidmar in bidding farewell to their Australian careers on home soil.

Josip Skoko, who skippered the Socceroos in last month's Asian Cup qualifier loss to Kuwait, was also reportedly considering hanging up his international boots, with interim coach Graham Arnold making it clear he wants all pending retirements made public by Friday.

Popovic, who started in Australia's 2-0 loss to Brazil at the World Cup but was forced off with a calf injury before halftime, admitted the friendly presented a rare opportunity for him to exit on his own terms and in front of a home crowd.

And he is keen to give something back in return to Australian football and the fledgling A-League.

"I've got a one-year contract (at Qatar club Al Arabi) and after that contract finishes we'll see what happens," Popovic said.

"I'd like to put something back into the game in Australia, I think I can offer something, whether that's playing or off the field, we'll just have to wait and see."

After being released by English Championship club Crystal Palace in the off-season, Popovic opted against an early return to Australia to sign a lucrative contract with Al Arabi worth a reported $1 million.

He said the Socceroos' success at the World Cup probably aided in him signing with the Qatar club as Australia's footballing profile surged in the Middle East - along with most of the world.

While Australia has played two Asian Cup qualifiers since the World Cup, Saturday's match and next Wednesday's clash with Bahrain in Sydney will be the first to feature a near-full strength Socceroos team since Germany 2006.

Captain Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy are the only members of the World Cup squad unavailable to play world No.21 Paraguay - which will bring 15 of its own World Cup squad to Brisbane.

Arnold held his first training session with the team at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, with the Socceroos to receive a heroes welcome at a special homecoming event at Brisbane's Queen St Mall on Thursday.

Popovic said he consulted only his family in coming to his decision.

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