Socceroos to play Scotland

[Red-4-Life]

THE Socceroos will face Scotland in a friendly international match in Edinburgh in August as part of their preparations for the next phase of 2014 World Cup qualifying.

The Socceroos will face Scotland in a friendly international match in Edinburgh in August as part of their preparations during the next phase of 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Football Federation Australia announced on Monday night the sides would meet for the fifth time, and first since 2000, at Easter Road Stadium, Edinburgh on Wednesday, August 15.

Australia will commence the final stage of 2014 qualifying with two matches in June and the Scotland friendly will precede its next set of fixtures in September.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck said the match would be ideal at a crucial stage of the campaign.

"This match is a very good opportunity for us to start a new season with a similar match to last year's one against Wales (2-1 win in Cardiff last August)," Osieck said.


"We will be using the match to assess the quality of our players and get a good start going into the next phase of the qualifiers come September.

"Scotland is always a tough team to play against, especially at home."

Scotland will also use the match as preparations for its attempt to reach Brazil 2014.

"I'm delighted to confirm this match against Australia, and complete our preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in September," Scotland coach Craig Levein said.

"Just last year Australia defeated our World Cup qualifying opponents, Wales, in Cardiff, and have been in good form in their own qualifiers, so I have no doubt that they will provide us with a tough test."

The Socceroos are currently ranked 22nd in the FIFA World Ranking, 26 places higher than the Scots.

Australia prevailed last time the teams met in November, 2000 with Brett Emerton and David Zdrilic scoring in a 2-0 win in Glasgow.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/soc ... 6290142187

[Bomber]

You'd think Australia would look for stronger opposition but every now and then they can do with a confidence booster I suppose.

[dudley]

we beat them 2 nill 10 years ago in scotland

[BlackBrian_7]

This would be no different than playing the Solomon Islands, couldn't we find someone good to play against?

[dudley]

scotland are second rate on a good day

[Scholes]

So are Australia....should be a good match up!!

[soccernuts]

we are 20 in the world scotland are not even close to top 20

[SwandelPark]

It'll be a close match, especially in Edinburgh

[Porky]

we are 20 in the world scotland are not even close to top 20

what's your point? Scotland have a good chance of qualifying for 2014 and there results have been good. Do some research.

[Holy Guacamole]

This would be no different than playing the Solomon Islands, couldn't we find someone good to play against?

Norway were busy.

[Bomber]

we are 20 in the world scotland are not even close to top 20

what's your point? Scotland have a good chance of qualifying for 2014 and there results have been good. Do some research.

Scotland requires NO research!

[Knight15]

So are Australia....should be a good match up!!

The only difference between Scotland and England is

Scotland know they are shyte

[soccernuts]

scotland have a good chance to make 2014

[Porky]

drew 1-1 with Slovenia (ranked 28)
lost to spain (as we would) 1-3 and 0-2
beat Cyprus 2-1 and 1-0
beat denmark 2-1 and 2-1
drew with Czech rep and beat them
drew with lithuania and beat them
beat Wales and Republic of Ireland
just some of their results in the last year.
What do you guys expect friendlies against Brazil, Spain and Germany all the time?

[dudley]

good research porky, glad you know how to google