Milligan, who was a member of Australia’s last four FIFA World Cup squads, informed Socceroos teammates and staff of his decision on Monday and concludes his time with the Socceroos having amassed an impressive 80 ‘A’ international caps for his country.

Taggart scored after just 12 minutes in Amman, getting on the end of Jackson Irvine’s incisive pass before lifting the ball over the keeper with a classy finish.

Adam Taggart’s early lob helped the Socceroos exorcise the demons of previous failures in the Jordanian capital, but they had to withstand a second-half rally from a Mousa Suleiman Al Tamari-inspired Al Nashama.

Jordan’s defeat coupled with Kuwait’s big win over Chinese Taipei, sees Vial Borkelman’s side drop to third on goal difference with seven points, while Australia lead the race with a perfect 12 from their opening four matches.

The reversal – courtesy of a goal from Anas Bani Yaseen in Al Ain – saw the Australians begin the defence of their Continental title in disappointing fashion and, although Arnold and his team advanced to the knockout rounds, their campaign was ended in the quarter-finals by hosts the United Arab Emirates.

Adam Taggart, Jackson Irvine and defensive newcomer Harry Souttar netted two goals apiece, with Jamie Maclaren coming off the bench to score his fourth goal in five days in a dominant display from the visitors.

Chen Yi-wei’s goal was a rare moment worth celebrating for Chinese Taipei, who remain at the bottom of the table after a third consecutive home defeat.

Jamie Maclaren netted a hat-trick and first-gamer Harry Souttar bagged a brace as Graham Arnold’s side scored three times in the opening half-hour to climb to the top of Group B.

The Socceroos will now head north to Kaohsiung, where they will meet Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, while Nepal face another difficult away day in Jordan.

Kuwait came into the game on a high following their 7-0 humbling of Nepal at the same ground five days earlier, but Romeo Jozak’s men were brought back down to earth quickly as the visitors got off to a flying start.

Seven minutes were all that Australia needed to move in front through Mathew Leckie. The Kuwaiti defence failed to deal with an Aaron Mooy in-swinging corner and Jackson Irvine fumbled his shot on the rebound, but the ball found its way to Leckie who stabbed it home from inside the six-yard box.