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Oct 04, 2012   |  7:18PM AET

National call up fine by Ange

National call up fine by Ange

Ange Postecoglou is delighted with Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan being named in the Socceroos squad even if it means Melbourne Victory are without the key duo when the premiership coach returns to face his old club Brisbane Roar.

Ange Postecoglou is delighted with Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan being named in the Socceroos squad even if it means Melbourne Victory are without the key duo when the premiership coach returns to face his old club Brisbane Roar.

Thompson has been a member Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign for most of the year while Milligan this week joined Tommy Oar and Carl Valeri in earning a recall for the clash against Iraq on October 16.

While Victory are rapt to be the only A-League club represented in the national team, it means Thompson and Milligan will be in Doha when one of the most anticipated clashes of the Hyundai A-League season is played at Suncorp Stadium Saturday week.

“I have been on record a few times as saying I’m delighted when our players gain international representation,” Postecoglou said at Victory training on Thursday.

“I’d like to think as a football club we can cover anyone’s absence. That’s the kind of football club we want to be.”

Postecoglou expects Thompson and Milligan to play a key role in Holger Osieck’s team.

“I was super ecstatic for both Archie and Mark,” he said.

“Archie has been in great form and Mark, since he has been with us, has been outstanding and I have got a feeling he is going to playing a massive role in the World Cup campaign.”

Thursday’s session at Gosch’s Paddock was fast and furious as Victory underwent final preparations for Friday night’s season-opening clash with Melbourne Heart.

Postecoglou was confident Victory could make a flying start to the season, mainly because the entire squad was available for the derby despite undergoing an arduous four-month pre-season.

“I think we are more than ready. It was a sharp session this morning which is what you want on the eve of the season,” he said.

“The (players) are looking bright and cheerful and all putting their hand up for selection.”

Postecoglou said Victory had been steadily building for the derby clash throughout the off-season.

“If it was a traditional four-week pre-season I would be very nervous right now because four weeks into pre-season we were nowhere near where we are now,” he said.

He said Victory fans would notice marked changes in game style but didn’t expect his side to be perfect in the first week of the season.

“Tomorrow night is our starting point and I’m confident that we have done enough work. If we play well that’s a good starting point but we expect to keep improving as the season goes on,” Postecoglou said.