Skoko will start in final match

Josip Skoko will start in his farewell appearance for Australia and reports from Melbourne suggest coach Graham Arnold may even give him the captain’s armband.

Josip Skoko will start in his farewell appearance for Australia and reports from Melbourne suggest coach Graham Arnold may even give him the captain-s armband.

The Wigan Athletic midfielder is ending his 10-year career with the national team in front of his home fans. He has made 50 A-appearances for Australia and scored 9 goals, including a screamer in his last start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Greece in 2006.

Skoko acknowledged that now is the right time to bow out after a distinguished career that has seen him play in three World Cup campaigns, including a member of the 2006 World Cup squad in Germany.

Having missed the Asian Cup because he needed to concentrate on gaining an extended deal with Wigan, the Argentina match represents a massive game to finish on, especially with family and friends in the stands.

"It will be sad and emotional but that's just part of the natural evolution, part of life," Skoko told The Herald Sun.

"The body doesn't handle travel like it used to and if I'm not going to play in the Asian Cup and I'm not going to the World Cup, I might as well let younger boys come in,” he added.

Skoko, who indicated that he like the chance to play in the Hyundai A-League before he retires from the game, is keen to finish on an enjoyable note.

"It's the last game, so I've got to enjoy it," he said.