The Asian Football Confederation confirmed Wilkshire had picked up his second booking in the game against Thailand, despite no-one noticing at the time.

The yellow is believed to have been shown to the Socceroo soon after Australia scored its third goal. It was Wilkshire's second yellow of the tournament, ruling him out of the crucial Japan match.

But the reason for the booking is still shrouded in mystery. Commentators and match statistics all failed to see the booking or any possible reason for it.

The decision leaves the perfect hole in defence to make it an easy decision for Graham Arnold to return Neill to the side.

There were doubts over his place after his petulant behaviour earned him a red card against Iraq, and the poor defensive performance during the games he played.

Now Merseyside rivals Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill are trying to force their way into the starting line-up.

"I was disappointed not to be in there from the beginning but I think I showed a bit of what I can offer when I came on. Now the rest is up to the coach, it's his decision," admitted Liverpool star Kewell.

Everton hero Cahill added: "As I keep saying, every player wants to start, and I'm no different.

"I'm getting stronger and stronger, and I feel ready for 90 minutes … but I'm a team player, and if I can come on and affect the game the way I did, then that's also great. I don't think I've set up three goals in my whole career."