Tim Cahill admits Brett Holman's decision to retire from international football was a big surprise.
The 30-year old attacking midfielder has called time on his playing days with the Australian national team despite being in good form with UAE side Al Nasr.
New York Red Bulls star Cahill has played alongside Holman in many of the former AZ Alkmaar and Aston Villa man's 63 international caps and admitted it was a shock to see him go.
"It surprised me massively, purely because of his age and I'm disappointed because I'm very close with him and having played with him I know the type of quality player he is," Everton icon Cahill said.
"If you look at the World Cup and the 2015 Asian Cup, I know Brett Holman can score goals for the national team and he's proved it himself.
"He's one of them players that's got the gears and when he turns it on he's an asset to any team.
"He's playing in a league where his body can be maintained really well and he's taking care of himself, last time he came into camp he was in great shape.
"I look at his age and the amount of football he's playing, I definitely know he's got more to give as an athlete.
"But I read his quotes and I respect what he said about his family and concentrating on his club football."
Among Holman's highlights for the Socceroos are his goal in the 1-1 World Cup draw with Ghana in South Africa in 2010 and his 25-yard effort to help his nation defeat Serbia 2-1 in the next group stage match. He scored nine international goals during his near-decade career with the Socceroos.
