Timely calls set up Milligan captaincy
SOCCEROOS coach Graham Arnold timed his call to perfection when he phoned Mark Milligan to convince him to shelve plans to retire from international football.
After his fourth World Cup in June this year, Milligan was contemplating calling time on his Socceroos career.
But reluctant to rush into a decision, the former Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory making his debut for the national team against South Korea on Saturday.
Boyle was given the nod by coach Graham Arnold in the second-half of the friendly at Suncorp Stadium, with a resolute Korean team holding a 1-0 lead. Adding pace and energy star headed to Greece for a well-earned holiday.
So it was a relaxed Milligan who spoke to Arnold on the phone rather than a player tired after an arduous World Cup journey. And the rest is history. Milligan, 33, was named as successor to departed former Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak just hours before earning his 73rd cap in Australia’s 1-1 draw with South Korea at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. down Australia’s right flank, Boyle quickly set about proving to fans why Arnold has been keen to add him to his ranks ahead of January’s Asian Cup.
To cap it all off, the Hibernian player played a key role in setting up Massimo Luongo’s
The Socceroos are again in action tomorrow night against Lebanon in Sydney as they prepare for the defence of their Asian Cup crown in January.
“I’m very happy that I stayed on, not just for the captaincy, but I think this team at the Asian Cup is going to do wonderful things,” said Milligan, who also recalled his phone chat with Arnold.
“He didn’t convince me, but made me feel comfortable in staying on. last-gasp equaliser for the home team to secure a 1-1 draw. “I’m claiming the assist,” Boyle said.
“You’ve got to be there ... I like to be in the box and create chances, try to score goals for myself. Thankfully, it fell for me in the right position.”
“We had a good talk, and he spoke about what he wanted to do with the team in terms of playing and things like that. It all felt very familiar ….”
Milligan, who now plies his trade at club level for Scottish outfit Hibernian, was delighted not to have made a spur-ofthe-moment decision after the World Cup in Russia.
“The World Cup is a very taxing event, the lead-up to it and everything like that,” he said. “(Arnold) gave me a little
Boyle’s Sydney-born father watched the game from Scotland and the 25-year-old couldn’t be happier to call himself an Australian international footballer. “It’s brilliant, that’s just a taster and you really want more,” he said. “I’ll cherish that forever.” bit of time afterwards, let the dust settle, and being as great coach as he is, he got the timing right on that as well.”
Saturday night’s match wasn’t the first time Milligan captained his country, but his maiden game as official Socceroos skipper.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in some very good Socceroos sides led by great players and great captains. To now join that elite group, it is a massive honour,” he said.