Strength of A-League tested in England

The A-League was thrown into the international spotlight in Friday night's 2-1 loss to England, with mixed results for the three Australian-based starters.

Brisbane Roar sharpshooter Jamie Maclaren worked hard for 55 minutes on his Socceroos debut, starting up forward alongside Robbie Kruse without really troubling the English defence.

Right back Josh Risdon of Perth Glory played the first 72 minutes in his third game for Australia and had several tussles with England strike duo Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling before being substituted off to make way for debutant Milos Degenek.

Melbourne City midfielder Aaron Mooy did best of the three A-Leaguers, playing 83 influential minutes in midfield.

Unsurprisingly, the late-blooming 25-year-old is on the verge of a big-money move to European club football with Belgium's Club Brugge reportedly leading the way for his signature.

All told it was a stern test for the A-League against an England squad made up entirely of Premier League players.

"I didn't expect the players to be that athletic and big and strong," Risdon said.

"It was a good test for myself to come up against those sort of players. No matter who I was up against, whoever had the ball there was a lot of talent there and a lot of quick players.

"It was probably one of the best atmospheres I've played in - you couldn't really hear yourself think at times. That's what football's about, you want to play in those sorts of games and that sort of atmosphere."

Risdon has also been linked with an overseas move, although has signed on to play for Perth again next season and says that will be his sole focus after a two-match series in Australia against Greece next month.

Maclaren is also potentially in line for more Socceroos caps next month after being named in Postecoglous 23-man squad to play Greece.

His debut against England could've been so much different had early fortune favoured the speedy striker.

Maclaren pressured goalkeeper Fraser Forster and his challenge caused the ball to pop up dangerously, but it fell to the England man.

"I just had to press him, and he got the luck of the bounce but hopefully next time I couldve found my way," Maclaren said.

"You' couldn't have asked for a better debut. It's a privilege to wear the Aussie jersey, we had a good game. "

"I thought it was irrelevant, the result. We played very well, in the first half I think we had most of the possession, some good chances as well.

"It's just great to be involved in this environment, for my debut as well. I tried to soak it all in, it was just a great experience altogether."