Socceroo coach Graham Arnold has confirmed Wigan midfielder Joe Skoko will retire from the national team after the Argentina friendly on September 11 at the MCG.
“I offered farewells to a number of players,” said Arnold today. “Joe indicated to me that he'd like this to be his farewell.
"And like we did last year with the Paraguay game when other national team players retired, we're going to give him a fitting send off.
“He's been a wonderful servant to the national team.”
The MCG is a venue that has happy memories for the hard-working former North Geelong player. Skoko, 31, scored the winner against Greece in a 1-0 friendly victory in May 2006.
However, he was angered by former national coach Guus Hiddink who did not give the midfielder any game time at the World Cup the following month.
The former Racing Genk and Genclerbirligi player, originally from Melbourne, opted out of the recent Asian Cup citing a need to rest and also to consider his future.
He has since signed an extension on his contract with English Premiership side Wigan Athletic.
"And like we did last year with the Paraguay game when other national team players retired, we're going to give him a fitting send off.
“He's been a wonderful servant to the national team.”
The MCG is a venue that has happy memories for the hard-working former North Geelong player. Skoko, 31, scored the winner against Greece in a 1-0 friendly victory in May 2006.
However, he was angered by former national coach Guus Hiddink who did not give the midfielder any game time at the World Cup the following month.
The former Racing Genk and Genclerbirligi player, originally from Melbourne, opted out of the recent Asian Cup citing a need to rest and also to consider his future.
He has since signed an extension on his contract with English Premiership side Wigan Athletic.
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