Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says the different fates of Mitch Nichols and James Troisi proves that the A-League can be the best route to a Socceroos shirt.

Both men excelled in the navy blue of Victory this season but only Troisi has earned Ange Postecoglou's nod for the 30-man World Cup squad.

James Troisi weaving through for Victory. Credit:Getty Images

Nichols left for Japanese side Cerezo Osaka in January during Victory's most tumultuous patch, sandwiched between two 5-0 defeats to Wellington and Sydney.

After waiting for the season to kick off in March, Nichols made his first start in the Asian Champions League (ACL) on Tuesday but is yet to score a goal in Japan.