Veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano says January’s Asian Cup won’t be his international swansong, keen to continue his Socceroos career into next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
Along with star striker Tim Cahill, Bresciano has survived the generational change in the squad under coach Ange Postecoglou.
The 34-year-old performed strongly at the World Cup in Brazil and has shown he is still a key figure in the side and vital to the team’s hopes of winning matches.
Cahill adamant Socceroos on right track
While many believe an Asian Cup on home soil would be the ideal stage to end a glittering international career, the 80-cap midfielder may not be ready to call it a day just yet.
“I personally think I can still offer something for the team beyond (the Asian Cup),” Bresciano told the Courier Mail newspaper.
“I will know when it’s time to say `that’s enough’. I am not the type of player who will want to hang around just to make up the numbers if I can’t give anything for the team.
“It’s just going to come down to how I feel and how I am going physically. It’s a proud thing for a player to represent his country.
“It’s not a question of how long you think you can do it. It’s satisfying to know that people still want you to play and to represent your country and give a hand to the team.”
Bresciano’s decision will come down to whether he believes he can maintain his form and fitness to ensure he still deserves a berth in the squad.
With so many fresh faces in the playing group, it’s pleasant news for Postecoglou who believes the Al-Gharafa midfielder still has plenty to offer his side.
“Regardless of what happens over the next four years I am going to ensure that we have a team of players who are going to be able to perform and contribute to that journey,” Postecoglou said.
“Bresh (Bresciano) and Timmy (Cahill) both proved at the World Cup that they are capable of playing at that level. And whilst they continue to show that, they will continue to get selected.”
Despite making his debut it 2001 and going to three World Cups already, Bresciano says the wealth of youngsters in the squad at the moment has re-energised him in the national set-up.