“Paul and I used to play our junior football in Adelaide, so we know each other very well,” recalls Aloisi. "We'd regularly be on the same pitch at opposite ends trying to outscore each other."

New nationl coach Pim Verbeek will be having a look at what's on offer this weekend in the A-League ahead of the Socceroos' first World Cup qualifier in 54 days' time.

With both strikers in form and potentially vying for a striking role under the Dutchman, this gives the clash an extra edge.

Aloisi is keen to talk up his rival's credentials on the eve of the Adelaide versus Mariners clash at Hindmarsh tonight.

“If you look at him, he hasn't got what Viduka's got, but he's always there for the tap in or the rebound and he's a goal poacher,” Aloisi told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“And you need one of those types of players in every side."

Agostino, 32, tells au.fourfourtwo.com that he still has not ruled out a Socceroo comeback: “To be very honest, it's not really on my radar but I'd be silly to say no, never again.

“My aim and focus is on Adelaide United and helping them get into the finals.

“We're just starting to gel at Adelaide United. And I'm just relishing it and getting to know these guys on the park. Lucas [Pantelis] knows the sorts of runs I make.

“I don't think I'm playing quite the way I want to. I still think I can do better through the fitness I gain by playing more matches.

"I didn't have any pre-season when I arrived because of the broken foot. But I'm getting better and obviously these three goals have helped me along.”

Looking to tonight's game, Agostino for his part is hoping to put behind him the disappointment of coughing up a two goal lead last week to Melbourne – a match where he scored his third goal in two games.

“I felt sorry for the lads," he admitted. "We pretty much had the game sewn up and it really was the penalty that got them back in the game.

"And the player who conceded the penalty – Tommy Milardovic – was having a fantastic game.

“You can see in the Australian A-League, one little mistake and you're punished."

Aloisi, 31, who also scored in the last round, says it's vital for the Mariners to shore up top spot with Queensland breathing down their necks and playing Phoenix just hours before they kick off.

“I just hope we win this week to cement us in the top four - it'll get us to 30 points which should be about right to keep us in the four," he said.

“Since I arrived, I said it's important to pick up points now, but it's important to be right for the finals.

“And with Tommy Pondeljak and John Hutchinson coming back, I feel we can really do something.”

He added: “The team is going to start gelling and I'll be getting fitter - and they're learning how I play and I'm learning how they play.

“It's been difficult – no matter where you go there is a lot of adapting and when you're not 100 percent fit, and with the weather being hot, it takes a lot out of you.

“But each game I play, I'm getting better and better.”