Australia to play Egypt, UAE ahead of Asian Cup

Australia will play Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in international friendlies ahead of next January's AFC Asian Cup, Football Federation Australia said today.

Updated on: Oct 15, 2010, 10:51:51 IST

AFP | By HT Correspondent, Sydney

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Australia will play Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in international friendlies ahead of next January's AFC Asian Cup, Football Federation Australia said on Friday.

The Socceroos will face Egypt in Cairo on November 17 and the UAE in Abu Dhabi on January 5, the FFA said. Australian head coach Holger Osieck said the internationals were an important lead-up to the Asian Cup in Qatar.

"In the past I have had the opportunity to coach a national team against Egypt in Cairo and they are always a very tough opponent to play against," the German said in a statement.

"In terms of the UAE match, with both nations having qualified for the Asian Cup, we will be looking to finalise our preparations before we arrive in Doha for the tournament."

The Socceroos have played the top-ranked African nation Egypt once before in the semi-finals of the 1987 President's Cup tournament in Seoul, winning 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless match. Australia have yet to face the UAE at senior level.

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