Viduka to play Asian Cup

Viduka had called a news conference for Friday morning to announce his retirement but changed his mind at the last minute after speaking to Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.

"His first decision was to retire but after thinking about it...he's made himself available to the shirt and the cause," Arnold told a news conference.

"I did not have to talk him into it. I only want people who are committed and Mark's 110 per cent committed. This was his decision."

Arnold said Viduka, who captained Australia at last year's World Cup and is likely to skipper the Socceroos in the Asian Cup, had always wanted to play in the tournament.

But Arnold said the 31-year-old had a brief change of heart when he joined Newcastle United.

"Signing for Newcastle gave him a lot of things to think about and to worry about," Arnold said.

"But he loves playing for Australia, he's proud to be Australian and he knows Australia has a good chance of doing well in this tournament and he wants to be a part of it."

The 16-team Asian Cup will be co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam from July 7-29. Australia are in the same group as Thailand, Iraq and Oman and are one of the favourites to win the title.

REUTERS