Another Middle East move concerns Osieck

Brosque last week sealed a lucrative move to United Arab Emirates club Al Ain, following an impressive 18-month stint in Japan with J.League side Shimizu S-Pulse.

The former Sydney FC striker becomes the fifth player in Osieck's current playing group to play his club trade in the Middle East, along with captain Lucas Neill (Al Wasl, UAE), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa, Qatar), Matthew Spiranovic (Al Arabi, Qatar) and Sasa Ognenovski (Umm Salal, Qatar).

Osieck said while he understood the reasons behind Brosque's move, it was not ideal to have the striker, who's becoming a regular starter for the Socceroos, playing in the UAE.

"That is always a very delicate issue to comment on," Osieck said, after Brosque was named in Australia's squad for this month's qualifier against Iraq in Doha.

"Of course you have to see the player's situation and knowing a little bit of what is behind it, it's a good financial deal for him and I have to show full understanding.

"Football-wise I'd rather have him in Europe or maybe even in Japan.

"Looking at his recent development, the fact that he is now a starter in our team is based on his development in the Japanese league."

Brosque, used primarily in midfield during his time in the J.League, scored 17 goals in 90 games for Shimizu.

Asked if the move would make it harder for Brosque to hold his starting spot in the Socceroos, Osieck said: "That remains to be seen.

"It's maybe premature to make a final statement, however as I said, I'd rather have players in a more competitive environment."