Focused ... there will be no distractions for the Socceroos. Source: Craig Greenhill / News Limited
The Socceroos have been banned from attending Saturday's Sydney derby by coach Holger Osieck, who wants his players focused on Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Oman.
Once a critic of how returning internationals were received back home, keeper Mark Schwarzer sang the praises of the A-League and didn't hide his support for the Wanderers, who could stitch up the Premier's Plate with a win over city rivals Sydney FC.
While understanding Osieck's decision ahead of a game Schwarzer described as must-win, he conceded the players were disappointed they won't be among the 20,000 fans at Parramatta Stadium.
Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill will be at the A-League clash, excused from the national squad due to suspension and returning from injury for Frank Farina's Sydney FC.
Schwarzer, one of seven members from the current Socceroos squad who hail from Sydney's west, conceded the Wanderers had created a buzz at all levels.
"It's been outstanding, I don't think anyone would've expected the club at such a very young age and a manager who's very new to the game in terms of coaching to be so successful at this early stage," Schwarzer said.
"On the other hand if you know Tony Popovic and how he works and how professional he was as a player, how meticulous he was with his preparation and from what I'm aware of it's all continued on as a manager.
"We would've loved to have gone to the game, players have already asked and we understand why it's not a good idea because Tuesday is such a vital game for us and we really need to make sure we prepare right.
"But there will be a screen set up for us to watch the game as a group.
"It's not the same, it would've been fantastic to go and watch it but that's the way it is - you have to make sacrifices along the way.
"But I'll definitely be supporting Western Sydney. I think (the A-League) has evolved and it's definitely matured into a league that's become very competitive and the fans have evolved and taken it to another level and Western Sydney is a great example of that."
Currently second in their group Australia only lead Oman and Iraq on goal difference ahead of Tuesday's clash at ANZ Stadium while trailing Japan by eight points.
Schwarzer, 40, will captain the side in Neill's absence, in what will be his 105th cap for his country and he wasn't playing down the importance of the Oman fixture.
While Neill gets to enjoy the Sydney derby the Socceroos defenders will be preparing to prove they've got what it takes to fill the shoes of their suspended skipper against Oman.
There's plenty of competition for Neill's centre-back position, with A-League players Michael Thwaite, Jade North and Mark Milligan along with international players Rhys Williams and Ryan McGowan all in the hunt.
Middlesbrough's Williams said being chosen to start Tuesday's game at ANZ Stadium would come down to performance at the squad's week-long training camp.
Asked if Neill's absence provided a big opportunity, the 24-year-old replied: "I'd like to think so."
But Williams was reluctant to state a preferred position.
"I always say on the pitch is my main one," he said.
"There's a lot of good players here and I just need to fight for a position and hopefully if I do get the nod I can show the boss that I'm ready.
"A lot goes down to training so hopefully I can train well over the next week and we'll go from there."
Melbourne Victory's Milligan echoed Williams' emphasis on the importance of proving himself to Osieck over the coming days.
"Holger has shown, the last couple of years, firstly he'll pick his squad but if you do well in camp then you're always a chance at getting some game time," he said.
"Since I've been back in the Socceroos he's mainly called me back in as a midfielder."
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