Socceroos stopper Mark Schwarzer had predicted Craig Moore would be back in national colours and today confidently declared the veteran defender would wear them through the 2010 World Cup campaign.
Schwarzer revealed he told Moore after his victorious Australian "swansong" in the 3-0 win over Qatar in February his international retirement wouldn't last.
The goalkeeper didn't mind saying `I told you so' when the pair entered national camp for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier, also against Qatar, in Brisbane.
"Moorey is a top-class player and when he got back into camp yesterday I said to him I knew it wouldn't be long before he's back," Schwarzer said today.
"The first time when we played Qatar in Melbourne I said to him that I didn't believe he was making the right decision. I thought he should stay on.
"I said I'd see him again playing for the Socceroos and he was adamant at the time he wasn't going to play again but he proved me right when he was back in camp yesterday."
Having kept behind Moore for the bulk of his 61 internationals, Schwarzer was convinced the Queensland Roar skipper was strong enough to go the distance for a second World Cup finals campaign.
"I think he'll be here for the rest of the campaign, I don't think it's a one-off," said the Fulham custodian.
"I believe once you make that decision to come back into the team I think you might as well see it through so hopefully it's only another seven months and we're qualified."
Moore, who initially retired from the international arena due to fitness issues with the long A-League off-season, remains to be convinced, preferring to take his return a game at a time.
"That (2010) is still a long way away, I'm really just looking at trying to get myself back involved in this squad and I'm not looking any further forward than that," said the former Glasgow Rangers skipper.
"Since I've come away I still followed the team and the results and the European championships, just seeing top-notch football was something that I missed and I felt I was still feeling good with my fitness. So I'm happy to be back involved again."
Coach Pim Verbeek again gave little away today in assessing Moore's chances of starting next to captain Lucas Neill in Australia's central defence.
Colchester United's Chris Coyne has stepped up to the mark in wins over Netherlands and Uzbekistan, after illness to Jade North gave him an opportunity.
While convinced Moore has two more years in him at international level, Schwarzer was unsure whether Moore will start in front of his Suncorp Stadium home crowd.
"It's a nice headache for the manager to have and that's what the manager gets paid for," said the Socceroos veteran.
"(Coyne) has played really well and he's really brought some experience back into the team as well.
"With (both Neill and Scott Chipperfield) back from injuries ... all of a sudden where looking like we've got more depth in the backline.
"It can only be healthy for the Socceroos."
While Moore is favoured to start, he last week felt Verbeek would reward Coyne for his form in the 1-0 win over Uzbekistan and again today denied he'd hold any grudges if overlooked.
"Coyney has come in and done a fantastic job for the national team," he said.
"You'd love to play, I'd be disappointed if I didn't but that's the person I am but the most important thing for me is that the Australian team does well and qualifies for the World Cup."
