Socceroos lock in Norway for one of two European friendlies
THE Socceroos will play two friendlies in Europe in March, which will be the only chance they have to impress their new coach before the World Cup squad is picked.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Socceroos will face Norway in Oslo on March 23 in one of only two chances to impress their new coach before the World Cup squad is picked.
Australia will face another opponent in Europe a few days later in Football Federation Australia’s plans for the crucial March international window.
Ange Postecoglou’s replacement will have a maximum of a month to watch the Socceroos play for their clubs before naming the squad for the March friendlies. FFA is tossing up whether to pick a local or international coach.
Marcelo Bielsa, Louis van Gaal and Jurgen Klinsmann are the high-calibre foreigners believed to be interested in the job. Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic lead local contenders.
Norway has been chosen because it plays a similar style to Australia’s World Cup group opponent Denmark.
France and Peru are also in Group C at Russia 2018.
The other friendly is expected to be against a South American or European nation.
Reports from South America are Colombia has been lined up for a match in London on March 27.
The Norway game will be played at the 28,000-capacity Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.
“Norway are especially strong on home soil,” FFA chief executive David Gallop said.
“For the March window we identified the need to play friendlies in Europe, where the bulk of our players are based, to minimise the travel demand on the players selected, as well as their clubs.
“Throughout the qualification process our players had a heavy travel and match schedule, so playing in Europe will lighten their loads.
“We’re sure our match schedule in March will provide our new head coach with a great chance to test the squad against quality opponents.”
Norway, which is coached by Lars Lagerback, has not qualified for the World Cup since 1998. It finished fourth in UEFA qualifying Group C on 13 points, behind unbeaten Germany (30), Northern Ireland, which lost to Switzerland in the playoffs, and Czech Republic.
Originally published as Socceroos lock in Norway for one of two European friendlies
‘Should be ashamed’: Vile chant goes too far
Manchester United fans have been savaged after unleashing an ugly chant not at a rival fan himself but at his mother.
Chaos erupts as man crashes into stadium
Rugby fans could do little but watch on as a parachutist delivering the match ball crashed into the stadium roof in frightening scenes.