Positions in the centre of the Socceroo defence will be up for grabs after this year's World Cup. Both Craig Moore and skipper Lucas Neill are unlikely to continue after years of stellar service in the centre of the green and gold backline.

With AFC World Cup qualifiers just two years off, a new central defensive barrier will need to be found. At the head of that queue is surely the reinvigorated Milligan.

After a standout 2009 season in the Chinese Super League, Milligan inked a lucrative deal with southern Tokyo-based outfit, JEF United Chiba. The 24-year-old begins pre-season with the J2 club this week.

And just north of Tokyo, elegant central defender Matt Spiranovic, 21, has signed a 12-month loan deal with J1 powerhouse, Urawa Red Diamonds. The emerging Socceroo struggled to find a regular place at Bundesliga club Nuremberg due largely to a succession of injuries.

Based in Saitama the J-League club offers a perfect base for the would-be Socceroo to resurrect his club career - and perhaps also resurrect his Olyroo defensive combination with Milligan in the Socceroos over the next few years. 

Tricky midweek away ties across the vast confederation were a huge hurdle for the Socceroos during 2008 and 2009. Based in Asia and playing in what is widely regarded as the most professional and best league in the confederation, the Milligan and Spiranovic combination would appear a ready-made solution in central defence ahead of the next World Cup campaign across Asia.

The 2014 Socceroo defence could look something like Milligan and Spiranovic central, Rhys Williams at right back and Shane Lowry or even Dean Heffernan on the left.

That is yet to be decided but for the moment, the move for Milligan and also Spiranovic provides crucial  game time leading into the World Cup this June.

"My decision going there [to the J-League] had a lot to do with the World Cup. And obviously I was lucky enough as Spiranovic was to get Pim's opinion on it, which always helps," Milligan told au.fourfourtwo.com today.

"This just ticked all the boxes. Obviously Pim being happy, lifestyle wise for my family and for me it was too good to pass up."

The Olyroos campaign for the 2008 Olympics was the catalyst for Milligan's move. JEF United coach Atsuhiko Ejiri's brief stint with the Japan U/23 side saw him coach against Australia in a friendly. Milligan clearly made a lasting impression on the coach.  

"It's brilliant. It's the spot to be," Milligan added. "I haven't spoken to Spira yet but I'm sure he's more than happy with the move. It's a great place to live as well as to play football."

An eye-catching season in the CSL generated interest across Asia for the former Sky Blue's services. With an offer from the J-League, and the blessing of Verbeek, it sealed Milligan's plan to relocate to southern Tokyo.

The Asian experience of Millgan should be an asset to the Socceroos in coming years. The former Sydney FC defender has also played in two Asian Champions League campaigns, the Asian Cup, the Beijing Olympics, two top Asian club leagues as well as almost two years of qualifiers across Asia with the Olyroos.

"Not at the moment but there will be a time when a few of the boys will move on and if you have people playing regularly like the younger generation coming through is obviously a positive with players like myself and Spira playing in Japan and hopefully getting a lot of football," Milligan said.

And it's this Asian experience that is vital in the hothouse of World Cup qualifiers. A good example is the recent Socceroo Asian Cup qualifiers against Kuwait.

The relatively unknown Kuwaitis showed great style and a high level of technical ability in the two games with Australia over the last 12 months (winning 1-0 last March in Canberra and drawing 2-2 in Kuwait earlier this month).

Striker Yousef Nasser and playmaker Bader Al Mutwa pierced Australia's defence on repeated occasions. Their verve emblematic of a rich football culture in that part of the AFC. 

It's all part of a learning curve for the Aussies in Asia, noted Milligan.

"It's really opened the eyes of the public in the last few years since we qualified through Asia," he said. "There are some great leagues over there. It's a footballing confederation to be reckoned with.

"I thought the boys did well [against Kuwait on January 6]. With some of them not having played in Asia before it's something you've got to get used to. It's a very tough climate with the weather and the pitch.

"I thought that little bit of lack of experience in Asia sort of caught up with them [against Kuwait], but having said that, take nothing away, they all played exceptionally well. You realise very quickly, it's a very skilful area."

Milligan added: "All those teams in that area have a couple of players you just sort of have to stand back and say, 'wow'. They're very good on the ball. These are lessons you learn very quickly in Asia."