Greece to play Australia twice in June

Greece will play Australia in June in what the latter's coach Ange Postecoglou said on Tuesday would be welcome preparation for future World Cup qualifiers.

The Socceroos, coached by Greek-born Australian Postecoglou, will face the 2004 European champion in Sydney on June 4 with another match pencilled in for June 7 with the venue to be decided.

"Playing Greece will be a good match-up for us as we look to play as many teams as possible from outside our region when we have breaks from our World Cup qualifiers against Asian opposition," said Postecoglou.

Australia faces Tajikistan in Adelaide on March 24 and Jordan in Sydney on March 29, and Postecoglou said these were the team's "first focus".

"But it is good to have this match locked in as we continue to build throughout the current World Cup cycle," he said.

Australia last played Greece in 2006 ahead of that year's World Cup, with the Socceroos winning 1-0 in Melbourne.

[AFP]