Viduka assures Australia of World Cup commitment

Mark Viduka has pledged his commitment to Australia and is determined to help his country to the next World Cup finals.

Viduka buried the hatchet with the Australian Soccer Association on Tuesday following the fallout from his withdrawal from last month's friendly in Venezuela. The ASA chose to invoke Fifa's five-day rule which resulted in Viduka missing Leeds United's match with Manchester United.

There were rumours that he would quit international football and this week the 28-year-old conceded such thoughts had crossed his mind. But Viduka was back in action for the Socceroos on Tuesday night and set up the only goal of a 1-0 friendly victory over South Africa at Loftus Road.

Viduka will now play against Turkey in two more friendlies in Australia in May and, in a further show of support, claims he is confident that the new ASA regime of the chief executive, John O'Neill, and the chairman, Frank Lowy, are heading in the right direction.

"I'm not one to hold grudges," Viduka said. "I genuinely think what they [O'Neill and Lowy] will do for the game is going to be good. The players are all behind them."

Viduka then outlined his World Cup ambitions, adding: "It was good to be back in the squad and I was happy being back with the lads. When you look at the national team, I would do anything to play in a World Cup for Australia. I think we deserve to go."