Bozanic and Mariners team-mate Mustafa Amini were named in Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar's 21-man squad for the two games to be played at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford and Augrid Stadium in Newcastle.

But being told to lead the team by Vidmar was an added bonus for Bozanic, who was first given the honour last week when they played Japan in a friendly.

“It was good to get the captains armband and good to get the opportunity to lead the team,” he said today.
 
“One of the best things you can do is play for your country, and to captain it is the next level, so it was great for me.”
 
The Olyroos took an early one goal advantage via a Mitch Nichols strike before Japan fought back to win the game 3-1. Despite the loss, Bozanic believes his team could take a lot away from the performance.
 
“We’re in our off season and they’re in their full season, so they’re going to be fitter than us,” he said.
 
“But we played good football in the first half and I think when we are at full fitness it will be a different story the next time we meet them. Certainly, we'll be ready to go for Yemen.”
 
Amini returns to Australia today following a two-week European tour with the Young Socceroos.
 
During that tour the young attacker played a crucial role in Australia’s 1-0 friendly win over Germany in Kamen-Kaiserau, and also featured in the Terborg Tournament in the Netherlands.
 
In the 21 players he has selected for the Yemen tie, coach Vidmar believes he has selected a squad capable of getting the result required to progress the side to the next stage of the competition.
 
“I was really pleased with elements of our recent trip to Japan, but there are still parts to work on,” Vidmar said.
 
“Musti (Mustafa Amini) and Kofi (Danning) were added to give us a couple of extra creative and attacking options.”