Viduka named World Cup captain

Guus Hiddink got straight down to business on the first day of the Socceroos FIFA World Cup Germany™ preparation camp by naming Mark Viduka as captain.

Guus Hiddink got straight down to business on the first day of the Socceroos FIFA World Cup Germany™ preparation camp by naming Mark Viduka as captain.

Hiddink told the group of players after they had all arrived, bar Harry Kewell, at the first team meeting and he was officially unveiled shortly after at a press conference.

Viduka was captain when Australia successfully qualified against Uruguay in November last year and Hiddink gave him the nod over previous skipper Craig Moore.

“Because we are going to be very open and frank, I would like to announce the captain for the upcoming World Cup, is Mark Viduka,” said a happy and relaxed Hiddink.

"He did very well in the qualifying rounds, where he took on his responsibility when we came together the first time," Hiddink said.

“From day one he worked very hard, not just on himself, but also together on the team, to get the job done. That-s why I think it-s good to have him as captain.”

Viduka was obviously stoked to get the nod, although it hadn-t really sunk in.

“It was only just broken to me in the team meeting,” said Viduka, who also felt for Moore, as the incumbent captain, before injury ruled him out for the latter part of the year.

“Craig Moore and I are good mates and roomed together at the AIS and it-s a difficult situation to be in because we both enjoyed leading the team. In Moore-s case, Hiddink and his team, want Moore to fully concentrate on his performances given his long time out with injury.

"We are very glad to have him (Moore) back in the team now,” said Hiddink. “We-ve talked with him about it and we considered it more convenient for him to get his role back in the squad because of his long time out with injury.”