Soccer: Viduka considers Socceroos future

Leeds striker Mark Viduka may quit international football after failing to reach the World Cup with Australia.

Uruguay became the third team in three successive qualifying campaigns to deny the Socceroos a place in international football’s most prestigious tournament in a play-off.

Argentina beat them ahead of USA 94 and Iran prevented them from booking a place at France 98.

‘‘I don’t know if I’m going to back up, it’s exhausting, it’s mentally exhausting,’’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Viduka is devastated that Australia did not reach Japan and Korea, despite having strolled through the Oceania Group.

‘‘The whole two-game thing just kills us,’’ he said.

‘‘We have such an unfair route to qualify. I mean, they’ve Uruguay lost about 10 games in their group and we’ve lost one but we’re out.

‘‘I’ll probably go back to concentrating on club football. It’s not as disappointing as the game against Iran.’’

Leeds colleague Harry Kewell, however, aims to become captain of the Socceroos.

Kewell’s agent Bernie Mandic revealed that Kewell is not quitting the national team.

‘‘He definitely wants to captain Australia one day and I’m sure he’d be good at it,’’ Mandic said.