PIM Verbeek says it's best for Adelaide United's Sasa Ognenovski to pursue his Macedonia national team dream because he won't be picked for Australia.
Verbeek said age went against Ognenovski, 29, at today's announcement of the Socceroo squad for the Asian Cup qualifier with Indonesia on January 29.
But also he said that the player had ambitions to play for Macedonia and by picking him once for the Socceroos this would end his international career one way or another.
"It's quite simple, he's not that young any more. The chance of him being a Socceroo player at the World Cup is not that big.
"So I prefer to take players with possibilities. And with him, I've always heard and read that Macedonia is his first ... so for him it's good to focus on that country."
But also he said that the player had ambitions to play for Macedonia and by picking him once for the Socceroos this would end his international career one way or another.
"It's quite simple, he's not that young any more. The chance of him being a Socceroo player at the World Cup is not that big.
"So I prefer to take players with possibilities. And with him, I've always heard and read that Macedonia is his first ... so for him it's good to focus on that country."
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