Australia line up New Zealand friendly

Hafiz MARIKAR

Sri Lanka's FIFA ex-co member Manilal Fernando, speaking to this writer said that, Adelaide will get its first taste of international football in almost seven years with Australia set to meet New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on June 5.

Manilal says, that the City of Churches has not hosted a football match since the 2004 OFC Nations Cup, with the most recent match at Hindmarsh Stadium on 6 June 2004 when Australia drew 2-2 with the Solomon Islands. The trans-Tasman rivalry in football has built up significantly over recent years, culminating in Australia's 2-1 win over the All Whites in May last year ahead of the World Cup.

New Zealand went on to be the only side unbeaten in the FIFA World Cup -drawing their three group matches. Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley believes the upcoming fixture will be a special event on the football calendar.

For the Australians, this game is crucial in the lead-up to the qualifiers.

This is an ideal opportunity for the players to show their ability the Australian coach Holger Osieck, is going all out to do his best to see his side do well.

It is traditional rivalry with the All Whites and the rich history of the venue will make the Qantas football match at Adelaide Oval a special occasion for the South Australian sporting community.

This match is a crucial guide in the build-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil - Asian qualifiers.

Last year the All Whites played in South Africa where they had a successful campaign having gone through their group phase undefeated against the likes of the defending world champions, Italy.

For Aussies, this game is crucial in the lead-up to the qualifiers.

This is an ideal opportunity for the players to show their ability and to prove that they should be included in our World Cup campaign.

Their last match against Germany (a 2-1 friendly win in Dortmund on March 29) was a excellent game, they are hoping to deliver the same against the Kiwis.