The Socceroos schedule for 2009/10 has been released. Football Federation Australia (FFA) today announced a program for the Qantas Socceroos involving seven matches over the next eight months as they prepare to participate in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, as well as secure qualification for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
"It's a solid workout for the Qantas Socceroos," according to FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.
"There's a good mix of high quality opposition as well as vitally important qualification matches for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
"We are, of course, very excited to be heading to South Africa in June next year but we want to ensure that we also qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar."
Buckley said that three of the seven matches will be played at home, with Sydney Football Stadium set to host the number 3 team in the world, the Netherlands, in an international friendly on Saturday 10 October.
Last September the Qantas Socceroos defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in Eindhoven courtesy of a Harry Kewell penalty and a Josh Kennedy header. The only other time these two nations faced each other was in June 2006 when the Qantas Socceroos drew 1-1 with Netherlands in Rotterdam in the lead up to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Four days later, the team plays a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Oman at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium. Australia currently sits fourth in their AFC Asian Cup qualification group and it is vital that the Qantas Socceroos make the most of the double FIFA break.
The third home game will be played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on 3 March next year in another AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia.
All home matches are presented by FOXTEL.
The four remaining matches for the Qantas Socceroos involve two international friendlies and two further AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Qantas Socceroos will meet Ireland in Limerick (Ireland) in just under two weeks time, as well as Korea in Seoul on 5 September in friendly matches.
The AFC Asian Cup matches involve Oman in Muscat on 14 November and Kuwait in Kuwait City on 6 January 2010.
Tickets for the match against the Netherlands at Sydney Football Stadium will go on sale to the Football Family from 9am AEST Tuesday 18 August with the general public on-sale from 9am AEST Tuesday 25 August from all Ticketek agencies, online and by phone.
Tickets for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualification stage match against Oman at Etihad Stadium will go on sale to the Football Family from 12pm AEST Tuesday 18 August with the general public on-sale from 9am AEST Monday 24 August from all Ticketmaster agencies, online and by phone.
Ticketing details for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualification stage match against Indonesia will be announced at a later date.
All Qantas Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX Sports.
Qantas Socceroos Match Program 2009-2010
12 August 2009: Republic of Ireland v Australia @ Thomond Park, Limerick, Ireland (friendly) 5 September 2009: Korea Republic v Australia @ Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, Korea Republic (friendly) 10 October 2009: Australia v Netherlands @ Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney (friendly) 14 October 2009: Australia v Oman @ Etihad Stadium, Melbourne (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier) 14 November 2009: Oman v Australia @ Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat, Oman (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier) 6 January 2010: Kuwait v Australia @ International Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier) 3 March 2010: Australia v Indonesia @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier)
