Socceroos to face Norway in first game for new coach

THE Socceroos’ new coach will open his tenure with a game against Norway, as part of a Europe doubleheader in March.

The Socceroos will face Norway in March in what will be their first game under their yet-to-be-appointed new coach.

THE Socceroos’ new coach will open his tenure with a game against Norway, as part of a Europe doubleheader in March.

Australia’s World Cup preparations will start in earnest in Oslo, playing at the 28,000-capacity Ullevaal Stadion on Friday, March 23 (local time), with another fixture to follow five days later, also in Europe.

Though Football Federation Australia had looked at the prospect of a money-spinning home game in the March international window, the logistics of finding opposition - and the travel involved - mean Ange Postecoglou’s replacement will open his account overseas.

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The pair of fixtures in March will be the new coach’s only chance for serious experimentation, before an extended World Cup squad is named in May and play a send-off game in Australia. There is likely to be a tleast one friendly in Russia itself or nearby just ahead of the World Cup, but that will be the extent of the new man’s preparation opportunities.

The Socceroos will face Norway in March in what will be their first game under their yet-to-be-appointed new coach.

Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup, after finishing fourth in their group behind Germany, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic.

“We are excited to have secured this international friendly match against Norway and would like to thank the Norwegian Football Association for the opportunity to play in Oslo,” said FFA CEO Gallop.

“Norway are especially strong on home soil and last year managed wins over Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan, as well as 1-1 draws with both Czech Republic and Sweden in Oslo.

“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 leading up to the World Cup.

“We’re sure that our match schedule in March will provide our new Head Coach with a great chance to test the squad against quality opponents.”

Originally published as Socceroos to face Norway in first game for new coach