Socceroos ‘Road to the Asian Cup' finalised

The Socceroos ‘Road to the Asian Cup’ was finalised today with an international game against the Singapore national team added to the team’s match schedule.

The Socceroos ‘Road to the Asian Cup- was finalised today with an international game against the Singapore national team added to the team-s match schedule.

With blockbuster games in Australia against Uruguay and Argentina during June already in place, the Socceroos will now have three matches to build up to Asia-s premier football event.

The team will next assemble in Sydney ahead of the re-match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on 2 June and then head to Melbourne to take on the number one ranked team in World football Argentina at the MCG on 6 June.

The players will then take a two-week recovery break before assembling in Singapore on 21 June.

“We want to give the team the best possible opportunity to achieve success at the Asian Cup and these matches will give Australia a great platform to perform at the tournament,” said FFA CEO Mr Ben Buckley.

“We have two massive home matches which will provide a tough test for the team and then the camp and match in Singapore will allow the team to fine tune and acclimatise ahead of our first Asian Cup match.”

Singapore missed out on qualifying for the Asian Cup after finishing third in a tough group behind Iraq and China.

“The camp and match in Singapore will give us a good indication of what to expect at the Asian Cup,” said National Coach Graham Arnold.

“Acclimatisation will be a key to success at the tournament so training and playing in Singapore will get us in good shape for the conditions that we will face for the tournament.”

“All three matches are vital. The games in Australia will be the players last chance to push for selection for the Asian Cup and the tough opponents will give us the hard workout we need.”

Tickets for Australia-s home matches against Uruguay and Argentina are now on sale.

All three matches and Australia-s games at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

‘ROAD TO THE ASIAN CUP-

Australia vs. Uruguay Saturday 2 June 2007, 8.00pm Telstra Stadium, Sydney

Tickets on sale now from Ticketek outlets, PH 132 849 or online at www.ticketek.com.au

Australia vs. Argentina Wednesday 6 June 2007, 7.30pm MCG, Melbourne

Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster outlets, PH 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

Singapore vs. Australia Saturday 30 June 2007, 7.30pm National Stadium, Singapore

AUSTRALIA-S 2007 AFC ASIAN CUP DRAW

Group Stage

Australia vs. Oman Sunday 8 July 2007, 5.20pm Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok

Australia vs. Iraq Friday 13 July 2007, 5.20pm Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok

Australia vs. Thailand Monday 16 July 2007, 7.35pm Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok