Selection in the Qantas Socceroos for the upcoming Asian Cup has capped off a huge ‘year and a bit’ for SFC central midfielder Mark Milligan.

“After playing in the Hyundai A-League, the Asian Champions League and the 2008 Olympic Games qualifiers, with minus temperatures in Shanghai, snow in Iraq and plus 45 degree heat in Abu Dhabi, I think I’m prepared for the weather in Asia, along with the varying styles of football in the Asian Cup,” said Milligan.

“I only found out about my selection when I got home from the Under 23’s Olympic Games Qualifying tour a couple of weeks ago. To tell the truth I was so focused on my captaincy with the U23’s and qualifying for the Olympics that I didn’t real think about Socceroos selection for the Asian Cup.”

Even though Mark has only been football-free for two weeks since before the World Cup last year, he feels very fortunate to have had the successes he has with the teams he has been playing for.

“Sydney’s debut in the Asian Champions League earned us a lot of respect. Making it through to the final stages of the 2008 Olympic Qualifiers was also great.”

Before playing with Sydney in the Asian Champions League I knew very little about Asian football, their style of play, the venues and the weather. Now I don’t feel like I’m heading into unknown territory with the Socceroos.

The team leaves for Singapore on Thursday where they are based for around a week. They play a friendly against the home Team, before flying off to Thailand where they open their Asian Cup campaign on 8 July with a game against Oman at Rajamangala Stadium.

“I’m injury free and feeling good. This is my opportunity to prove that I should be a regular in the Socceroo squad,” said Mark

The Soceroos will be away for about 6 weeks depending upon how far they go in the competition. And then it’s back to home soil for the 2007/08 A-League competition.

I’m sure all Sydney fans wish their 'player for all seasons’ all the best when he represents the pride of Sydney FC on the international stage at the Asian Cup.