midfielder
Well-Known Member
Buying my tickets as soon as they go on sale..
Why Aussie Stadium .. why not Homebush .. but what the hech...
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/glamour-team-to-visit-in-a-big-win-for-state/story-e6frexni-1225754723130
SYDNEY has landed a major coup with the Socceroos to kick-off their World Cup preparations against The Netherlands in October.
The friendly has been booked for the Sydney Football Stadium on October 10 and will be a 40,000-sellout. The Netherlands, at No3 in the world, will be the highest-ranked team to play on Australian shores in more than a decade.
In a case of double-Dutch, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will also get the chance to prove his much-maligned tactics can stand the test against his native country.
Both nations are promising to field full-strength squads with the game falling in a FIFA designated break for internationals.
And while star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has retired from international football, the Dutch can still call on world-class names.
The Oranje boast Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, as well as Real Madrid's Raphael Van der Vaart and Arjen Robben.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
The Socceroos have risen to their best-ever ranking, coming in at 16 on the FIFA list.
Having defeated the Dutch 2-1 on their home soil last September, the match in October will provide a genuine gauge of where the Socceroos are placed for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"That's why we're absolutely delighted to be meeting The Netherlands again - this time on home soil,'' said Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley. "Last time we met, it was a victory for Australia and in the 12 months since we've only improved.''
The Sunday Telegraph can also reveal the Socceroos' road to South Africa 2010.Australia have eight warm-up matches scheduled, with the farewell game planned for May next year in Melbourne.
The Socceroos will also be playing an Asian Cup qualifier against Oman at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on October 14.
But it's the match against the Dutch which has created the most excitement. It's also expected to provide a boost for NSW tourism. "This is as good as it gets,'' said Events NSW chief executive Geoff Parmenter. "We have been assured that they will be the absolute best sides of both teams. It's almost a once in a lifetime spectacle. The fact that we have secured the first match in Australia's Road to South Africa against the highest ranking opponent that we have seen on these shores in the last 10 years is just a terrific coup."
Why Aussie Stadium .. why not Homebush .. but what the hech...
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/glamour-team-to-visit-in-a-big-win-for-state/story-e6frexni-1225754723130
SYDNEY has landed a major coup with the Socceroos to kick-off their World Cup preparations against The Netherlands in October.
The friendly has been booked for the Sydney Football Stadium on October 10 and will be a 40,000-sellout. The Netherlands, at No3 in the world, will be the highest-ranked team to play on Australian shores in more than a decade.
In a case of double-Dutch, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will also get the chance to prove his much-maligned tactics can stand the test against his native country.
Both nations are promising to field full-strength squads with the game falling in a FIFA designated break for internationals.
And while star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has retired from international football, the Dutch can still call on world-class names.
The Oranje boast Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, as well as Real Madrid's Raphael Van der Vaart and Arjen Robben.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
The Socceroos have risen to their best-ever ranking, coming in at 16 on the FIFA list.
Having defeated the Dutch 2-1 on their home soil last September, the match in October will provide a genuine gauge of where the Socceroos are placed for next year's World Cup in South Africa.
"That's why we're absolutely delighted to be meeting The Netherlands again - this time on home soil,'' said Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley. "Last time we met, it was a victory for Australia and in the 12 months since we've only improved.''
The Sunday Telegraph can also reveal the Socceroos' road to South Africa 2010.Australia have eight warm-up matches scheduled, with the farewell game planned for May next year in Melbourne.
The Socceroos will also be playing an Asian Cup qualifier against Oman at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium on October 14.
But it's the match against the Dutch which has created the most excitement. It's also expected to provide a boost for NSW tourism. "This is as good as it gets,'' said Events NSW chief executive Geoff Parmenter. "We have been assured that they will be the absolute best sides of both teams. It's almost a once in a lifetime spectacle. The fact that we have secured the first match in Australia's Road to South Africa against the highest ranking opponent that we have seen on these shores in the last 10 years is just a terrific coup."
