Dutch agree to Socceroos friendly
July 7, 2008 - 10:54AM
The Socceroos have secured a second friendly ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier in September - this time against European powerhouses Holland.
Australia will play the Dutch in Eindhoven on September 6 - four days prior to their World Cup group opener against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
It adds to the Socceroos' friendly against South Africa in London on August 19 and gives coach Pim Verbeek an ideal platform to build into the important match against the dangerous Uzbeks.
The Dutch played some of the most exciting football at the recent European Championships, but suffered a shock loss in the quarter-finals to Guus Hiddink's Russia.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said the two friendlies were further proof his organisation would leave no stone unturned to get the Socceroos to the 2010 World Cup finals.
"It's important that we go into the Uzbekistan game with as much preparation as possible, and playing a team ranked fifth in the world and made the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 will give us just what we need at that time," Buckley said.
It will also be the Dutch side's first match under new coach Bert van Marwijk ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier on September 10.
Australia last played Holland in a warm-up match in Rotterdam ahead of the 2006 World Cup finals, resulting in a rousing 1-1 draw.
The Socceroos' match against 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa had already been confirmed for August 19, with the venue now Queen's Park Rangers' home ground Loftus Road.
Australia now have 12 confirmed matches over the next 12 months, including World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. "It's a busy schedule," Buckley said.
"But it's also precisely why we wanted to be part of the Asian Football Confederation.
"We have regular, high quality competitive matches with real meaning and real context that fans want to see."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/dutch-agree-to-socceroos-friendly/2008/07/07/1215282700505.html
July 7, 2008 - 10:54AM
The Socceroos have secured a second friendly ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier in September - this time against European powerhouses Holland.
Australia will play the Dutch in Eindhoven on September 6 - four days prior to their World Cup group opener against Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
It adds to the Socceroos' friendly against South Africa in London on August 19 and gives coach Pim Verbeek an ideal platform to build into the important match against the dangerous Uzbeks.
The Dutch played some of the most exciting football at the recent European Championships, but suffered a shock loss in the quarter-finals to Guus Hiddink's Russia.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said the two friendlies were further proof his organisation would leave no stone unturned to get the Socceroos to the 2010 World Cup finals.
"It's important that we go into the Uzbekistan game with as much preparation as possible, and playing a team ranked fifth in the world and made the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 will give us just what we need at that time," Buckley said.
It will also be the Dutch side's first match under new coach Bert van Marwijk ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier on September 10.
Australia last played Holland in a warm-up match in Rotterdam ahead of the 2006 World Cup finals, resulting in a rousing 1-1 draw.
The Socceroos' match against 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa had already been confirmed for August 19, with the venue now Queen's Park Rangers' home ground Loftus Road.
Australia now have 12 confirmed matches over the next 12 months, including World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. "It's a busy schedule," Buckley said.
"But it's also precisely why we wanted to be part of the Asian Football Confederation.
"We have regular, high quality competitive matches with real meaning and real context that fans want to see."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccer/dutch-agree-to-socceroos-friendly/2008/07/07/1215282700505.html
