Ognenovski is well placed to make an assessment on the wider quality of Australian domestic football after rising to fame with Adelaide United before taking his game to another level in Korea's K-League.

Since his transfer to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 2009, the 32-year-old defender has been in sterling touch and claimed Asia's highest individual honour - the Asian Footballer of the Year award - the following year.

It is his shift to Korea that is credited with Ognenovski's late arrival to the national team frame but he is convinced that with the continued improvement of the A-League - and the fresh approach of coach Holger Osieck - future players may not need to leave Australian shores to achieve their green and gold dreams.

Asked if Asia was streets ahead of domestic football in Australia, he said: "Not particularly. The overseas clubs have got bigger budgets but they all started off pretty much like the A-League.

"As the A-League progresses and more sponsors jump onboard, it'll get a lot better as well."

He admitted that his move to Korea did help with his progression to the national team, but added: "With Holger, he's pretty keen on anyone that's playing well - whether they're playing in the A-League or overseas.

"It helps but there's been a few boys picked out of the A-League as well. He looks at the bigger picture."

Ognenovski certainly has blazed a trail for Australian defenders in Asia - a region that was previously unchartered territory.

His sensational form for Adelaide United in their 2008 AFC Champions League campaign put him in the shop window for clubs across the continent and Seongnam jumped to secure his services.

Since then, Korean clubs in particular have taken a liking for Australian talent, with former Reds teammates Iain Fyfe and Robert Cornthwaite and ex-Brisbane centre-back Luke DeVere following in his sizable footsteps.

"When a foreigner does well in any country it always bodes well for other guys who want to make the move," Ognenovski said.

"Luckily enough for myself, my performances in Korea were good and the Koreans were hot on Australian centre-halves."

But Ognenovski will have to fend off the challenges of those very players to ensure he keeps his position in the heart of the Australian rearguard leading up to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when he will be 35.

Rather than being fearful that the spot he waited so long for could be usurped, he said it was a positive for football in Australia that so many others were snapping at his heels.

"There are young guys coming in and even mature aged guys, which is good for the team. You can sense (the changing of the guard)," he said.

"It keeps us on our toes. It makes sure that we're performing. If you don't perform there's always someone there to replace you.

"Matthew Spiranovic and Rhys Williams are impressive and they've got a load of talent, and hopefully it holds good for the future of the Socceroos. It's excellent for Australian football."