Aussie chiefs meet to consider Viduka absence

LEEDS striker Mark Viduka is hoping the latest club-versus-country confrontation can be resolved when Australia officials meet today.

Viduka’s failure to arrive in Caracas at the weekend for today’s friendly with Venezuela has overshadowed coach Frank Farina’s build-up to the match.

Leeds have insisted Viduka is struggling with a hamstring strain sustained in last Tuesday’s 4-1 home victory over Wolves at Elland Road. They insist the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) were given adequate notice of the problem and that Viduka would therefore not be available for the game.

The ASA declined a written request from Leeds that Viduka be withdrawn from the squad and have alerted world governing body FIFA to the problem.