This time it's the real deal - Mark Milligan

* Marco Monteverde
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* May 29, 2010 12:00AM


FROM Socceroos mascot to World Cup starter within four years - that's the ambitious plan of former Sydney FC star Mark Milligan.

A shy 20-year-old A-League talent in 2006, Milligan was a shock inclusion in Australia's World Cup squad, but the youngest member of the 23-strong contingent was never in then coach Guus Hiddink's plans for game time at the tournament.

Four years on, a more mature and hardened Milligan would like to think that under another Dutchman, Pim Verbeek, he will not only repeat his effort of making Australia's final squad but challenge for a starting berth when the World Cup starts in South Africa on June 11.

"Being called in so late for the last one, I've been able to enjoy this a little bit more and I'm hoping to push for some game time," the versatile Milligan said.

"So far this last week or two have been, I wouldn't say more enjoyable, but a bit more of a reality for me."

Since Germany 2006, Milligan's club career has been a rollercoaster ride, but he is adamant he has no regrets despite the fact his long-term ambitions of a career in Europe have been put on hold as he plies his trade in the Japanese second division with JEF United.

He tried his luck in France with Metz, as well as in England with Arsenal and Manchester City, before returning to the A-League as a guest player for Newcastle United ahead of a subsequent move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, who kept Milligan for a season before his move to Japan.

"There was a little method to the madness," he said.

"I wanted to see what it was like. I got to train with some great teams, some great coaches and it definitely made me a stronger person. It was part of me growing up as a player and a man."I was a little unlucky at Manchester City because there was the sacking of Sven-Goran Eriksson. We were very close to securing something.

"It wasn't all just fun and games over there. I actually did do well."

Doing "well" in the Socceroos' training camp is Milligan's current goal, with his ability to play as a right fullback, a central defender and a holding midfielder helping his cause ahead of a World Cup squad reduction from 28 to 23 on June 1.

The 24-year-old utility was used at right back in Australia's 2-1 win over New Zealand last Monday night at the MCG, where he was content with his 90-minute effort despite accepting part of the blame for All Whites striker Chris Killen's first-half goal.

"I don't think I ended up too far away from the challenge [on Killen], but he just got in on a good angle," Milligan said.

"I got caught a little bit square with him - it was just one of those things you can't do a lot about."

Milligan believed his versatility was both a help and a hindrance in his bid for a permanent spot in the Socceroos' starting XI.

"If you do get moved around and you're not doing so well, that can harm you," he said. "If I'm getting moved around then I need to perform well, otherwise it doesn't mean anything.

"When I'm with the national team I don't mind where I play. It's been a few years since I've played right back.

"But if that's going to get me into that final 23, I'll play anywhere that needs to be played."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/this-time-its-the-real-deal-mark-milligan/story-e6frey4r-1225872679984