SOCCEROO journeyman Mark Milligan has left his trial and contract talks with FC Porto to fly in to the Australia training camp in Holland.
Milligan flew into Portugal at the weekend to open talks with the Euro giants about a possible contract, after six months without a club.
But after just a day with the side, the jet-setting defender joined up with the rest of the Socceroos for the first day of training as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Milligan has previously landed himself in hot water by delaying his Australia training camp arrivals because of trials with other clubs, but the FFA today confirmed Milligan arrived on time.
The Qantas Socceroo squad are in Mierlo to prepare for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on Saturday.
The match is as a warm-up to the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on September 10.
Head coach Pim Verbeek put his players through a light training session on Monday afternoon with most players coming off a weekend of action in their domestic league competitions.
The Dutch training venue brings back happy memories for the Socceroos, as it's where they began their lead-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
"This is where it all started a couple of years back now," said defender Michael Beauchamp.
"It's definitely good to be back here and I'm looking forward to the game on the weekend.
"It's going to be another tough match, as the Netherlands has world class players, but our real focus is on the match against Uzbekistan."
He added: "For us it's a very important game to get the team sorted and go on from there.
"We're very focussed on making it to the 2010 World Cup and this game is the first of eight matches which will help get us there."
Beauchamp also encouraged fans to support the Socceroos when they meet Qatar in Brisbane in the second match of the qualifiers on October 15.
"A home win is always essential, and nothing helps more than a sea of gold and 50,000 voices cheering us on," Beauchamp said.
Injuries to striker Scott McDonald (groin) and goal-keeper Brad Jones (finger) will mean the pair will not be joining the camp in the Netherlands.
But after just a day with the side, the jet-setting defender joined up with the rest of the Socceroos for the first day of training as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Milligan has previously landed himself in hot water by delaying his Australia training camp arrivals because of trials with other clubs, but the FFA today confirmed Milligan arrived on time.
The Qantas Socceroo squad are in Mierlo to prepare for the upcoming international friendly match against the Netherlands on Saturday.
The match is as a warm-up to the crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier round 4 match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on September 10.
Head coach Pim Verbeek put his players through a light training session on Monday afternoon with most players coming off a weekend of action in their domestic league competitions.
The Dutch training venue brings back happy memories for the Socceroos, as it's where they began their lead-up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
"This is where it all started a couple of years back now," said defender Michael Beauchamp.
"It's definitely good to be back here and I'm looking forward to the game on the weekend.
"It's going to be another tough match, as the Netherlands has world class players, but our real focus is on the match against Uzbekistan."
He added: "For us it's a very important game to get the team sorted and go on from there.
"We're very focussed on making it to the 2010 World Cup and this game is the first of eight matches which will help get us there."
Beauchamp also encouraged fans to support the Socceroos when they meet Qatar in Brisbane in the second match of the qualifiers on October 15.
"A home win is always essential, and nothing helps more than a sea of gold and 50,000 voices cheering us on," Beauchamp said.
Injuries to striker Scott McDonald (groin) and goal-keeper Brad Jones (finger) will mean the pair will not be joining the camp in the Netherlands.
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