Iraq's star duo out of clash with Socceroos The Socceroos have been handed a huge boost for Tuesday's World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium after two of Iraq's greatest players, Younis Mahmoud and Nashat Akram, announced their immediate retirement from international football. The duo previously withdrew from national duty when the team was under the tenure of Brazilian legend Zico, but were both named in the most recent squad - last week's 1-0 loss to Japan, when Mahmoud was captain. However, a dispute between the national players and the Iraq Football Association has reached breaking point, prompting Mahmoud and Akram to withdraw. When the squad left the Middle East on Thursday, neither were on the plane to Sydney. Mahmoud shot to fame in 2007 when he captained Iraq to Asian Cup glory, was named as the tournament's most valuable player and finished joint top scorer with four goals. Akram was regarded as one of Asia's most skilful players, and was only denied a move to Manchester City in 2008 by a work permit issue. He has since shunned big-money offers across the world to play in Iraq. Between them, the pair have over 230 international appearances despite Mahmoud being only 30 and Akram just 28. The World Game website also reported that Alaa Abdul-Zahra - a forward with more than 50 caps to his name - and a back-up goalkeeper also failed to make the trip to Australia. Tensions between the players and the association have been running high for some time, with payments often delayed or withheld. When Zico left last November, youth team coach Hakeem Shaker was given the job temporarily before Vladimir Petrovic took the reins. The defeat against Japan in Doha means the Lions of Mesopotamia are the only side out of World Cup contention in Group B heading into the final match day. Meanwhile, Sydney FC have replaced outgoing left-back Fabio with former Central Coast Mariners junior Marc Warren on a one-year deal. The 21-year-old's previous club was Airdrie United in Scotland. It's a great feeling coming home. I've always wanted to come and play for my home team, and after spending a couple of years overseas I thought it was time to come back," he said. I still remember coming to the games when Dwight Yorke was here. Coach Frank Farina said he felt the Sutherland Shire-raised player would be a natural fit for the Sky Blues. "He was an ever-present for the Young Socceroos alongside Rhyan Grant at the under-20s World Cup in Colombia in 2011," he said. He fits into what we are trying to do and has had two years in Europe.