Aussies to play Dutch in home friendly

Australia will play world number three the Netherlands in a warm-up game ahead of their next Asian Cup qualifier with Oman in October, Football Federation Australia said on Thursday.

Australia will play world number three the Netherlands in a warm-up game ahead of their next Asian Cup qualifier with Oman in October, Football Federation Australia said on Thursday.

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The 16th-ranked Australians, coached by Dutchman Pim Verbeek, will play the Netherlands in Sydney on October 10, before taking on Oman four days later in Melbourne, the FFA said.

Both Australia and the Netherlands have already qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa with the Socceroos having beaten and drawn with the Dutch in their last two encounters.

Australia (1 point) lie fourth behind leaders Oman (4 points) in Group B qualifying for the 2011 Asian Cup after their shock 1-0 loss at home to Kuwait last March in Canberra, while playing without any of their leading overseas-based stars.

The FFA also announced a friendly against South Korea in Seoul on September 5 and confirmed that their home Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia will be played in Brisbane on March 3.

The Socceroos' next international will be against Ireland in Limerick on August 12 and they will play their away Asian Cup qualifiers against Oman in Muscat on November 14 and Kuwait in Kuwait City on January 6.

Socceroos match programme 2009-2010

August 12 Ireland v Australia, Limerick (friendly)

September 5 South Korea v Australia, Seoul (friendly)

October 10 Australia v Netherlands, Sydney (friendly)

October 14 Australia v Oman, Melbourne (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier)

November 14 Oman v Australia, Muscat (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier)

January 6 Kuwait v Australia, Kuwait City (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier)

March 3 Australia v Indonesia, Brisbane (AFC Asian Cup 2011 qualifier).