Melbourne Victory’s Mark Milligan on the emotion of winning the Asian Cup

HE was taught not to cry as a kid but at the ripe age of 29, it all got too much. Mark Milligan usually cuts a stoic, unflappable figure, be it captain of Melbourne Victory or Socceroo.

MARK MILLIGAN AND HIS DAD Terry Picture:Wayne Ludbey

HE was taught not to cry as a kid but at the ripe age of 29, it all got too much.

Mark Milligan usually cuts a stoic, unflappable figure, be it captain of Melbourne Victory or Socceroo.

It dates back to a match in the late ‘90s for the Sydney-born and raised player, when Parramatta Eagles lost a sudden death match to Marconi.

“When I was 13 or 14 I played in a major semi, to get to a grand final, and we lost and a lot of our boys were quite emotional. I remember my dad coming onto the field after,’’ Milligan recalled.

“I lived with my mum. He was always at my games but I never really saw him during or after and I remember he grabbed me and told me if he ever saw me crying after a match I’d be in some strife, I’ve always remembered that.

“It wasn’t bad, as in don’t get emotional, he meant you put everything in but you need to respect the other side and there’s worse things than losing a football game. You need to move on and improve.’’

While he didn’t see as much of his dad Terry Mayo (Milligan retained his mother’s surname), the words stuck.

In the 16 years since Milligan’s been involved in many big games _ World Cup, Beijing Olympics, A-League finals _ but heeded his dad’s advice.

When the final whistle sounded late January 31 to confirm the Socceroos’ Asian Cup triumph however, Milligan’s emotions erupted.

“There was definitely a tear shed after the Asian Cup. To be honest he (dad) was probably the same,’’ he said.

“My mum and grandparents were all very emotional, it meant a lot to them.

“At the end of the Korea game I didn’t think I’d be as emotional as I was, it was an extraordinary feeling, I don’t think I’ve ever had that before.

“I don’t know whether it’s because the game or tournament was so intense, or being at home in front of our family, or simply winning a major trophy.

“Whatever it was, I was surprised by my feelings and my reactions. I had never, ever have I got emotional after a match.’’

Perhaps it was in part due to the fact that Milligan appeared destined to play a bit-part role when captain Mile Jedinak returned from injury for the quarter-finals, yet won back his spot and was arguably the man of the match in the final.

While Milligan debuted for the Socceroos in 2006 and won a number of early caps under Graham Arnold in 2007 _ Arnold also made him captain for the 2008 Olympics _ it wasn’t until he signed for Victory in 2012 that he won a regular place.

In the first two years there was an unhealthy reliance on Milligan at Victory, who looked like they could concede six goals if he wasn’t there.

Jim Magilton, Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat have deployed him in defence and midfield, but Muscat’s outstanding pre-season recruiting and the maturing of younger players have taken some weight off.

“In a sense. Bringing in these older more experienced players, they naturally take more responsibility and that’s most evident at the back of games,’’ Milligan said.

“You’re never going to control a game for 90 minutes, it’s those 10 or 15 minute patches when we’re up against it that they come into their own.

Mark Milligan (centre) celebrating the Asian Cup win with (left) Mile Jedinak and (right) Tim Cahill.

“We’re a little more battle-hardened. The experience the young boys gained over the last few years has helped them then the players we’ve brought in, Matthieu Delpierre and Fahid (Ben Khalfallah), they’re not only quality players they’ve been involved in big leagues and big games. Carl Valeri as well. They know how to finish matches and that’s been very important for us.

“Previously when we’ve conceded a soft goal, we haven’t done that so much this year. We finish games well.’’

Milligan’s family is slowly relocating, with his dad joining him in Melbourne in January to be with his step-sister.

The pair often reminisce over a round of golf, which had to be cancelled this week due to a classic Melbourne downpour.

A former Sydney FC fan favourite, Milligan has been known to cop jeers since joining the arch enemy in 2012 after spending the first three A-League seasons with the Sky Blues.

“The way it ended there took all my emotion away form it,’’ Milligan said.

Will he cry on Sunday?

“I don’t know,’’ he said.