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Socceroos To Play Italy - 442
BREAKING NEWS: The Socceroos will play Italy next year in a glamour tie - and the Europeans are set to back Australia's World Cup bid.
The match will take place in either June or November depending on next year's fixture schedule.
And the Italians have said thy want it to be held in Australia if possible, although there is a chance it could have to take place in Italy if necessary.
The game and Italy's support for the World Cup bid was revealed at a press conference in Sydney today.
It also revealed the two countries had signed an agreement to share resources in future years.
FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy, and the President of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC or Italian Football Federation), Dr Giancarlo Abete, signed the agreement in Sydney just prior to the official start of the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Congress.
Italy and Australia have long had a close relationship at all levels because of the large number of Australians of Italian origin, said Mr Lowy.
The Italian football team is also one of the great exponents of football and has thrilled many football fans over the years.
This agreement reinforces the depth of the relationship between our countries, and also broadens it to include our shared passion for the beautiful game.
The agreement includes the sharing of resources and expertise, including technical exchange in the areas of coaching, referees, game development, youth football, womens football, sports science and medicine and others.
This is an exchange in every sense of the word, Mr Lowy said.
In some areas, the FIGC clearly offer great experience and expertise, and in other areas Australia does.
The FIGC will also provide advice and expertise to FFA in developing the Home of Football in Australia which is to include a technical centre and a domestic training base for Australias nine national teams.
Mr Lowy said the agreement also covers cooperation in the staging of international friendly matches between the mens and womens teams at all age groups as well as Futsal.
The Azzurri defeated us on the field in Germany in a very hard fought battle between us, and they went on to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
We are delighted to form this relationship with FIGC, Mr Lowy said.
BREAKING NEWS: The Socceroos will play Italy next year in a glamour tie - and the Europeans are set to back Australia's World Cup bid.
The match will take place in either June or November depending on next year's fixture schedule.
And the Italians have said thy want it to be held in Australia if possible, although there is a chance it could have to take place in Italy if necessary.
The game and Italy's support for the World Cup bid was revealed at a press conference in Sydney today.
It also revealed the two countries had signed an agreement to share resources in future years.
FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy, and the President of the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC or Italian Football Federation), Dr Giancarlo Abete, signed the agreement in Sydney just prior to the official start of the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Congress.
Italy and Australia have long had a close relationship at all levels because of the large number of Australians of Italian origin, said Mr Lowy.
The Italian football team is also one of the great exponents of football and has thrilled many football fans over the years.
This agreement reinforces the depth of the relationship between our countries, and also broadens it to include our shared passion for the beautiful game.
The agreement includes the sharing of resources and expertise, including technical exchange in the areas of coaching, referees, game development, youth football, womens football, sports science and medicine and others.
This is an exchange in every sense of the word, Mr Lowy said.
In some areas, the FIGC clearly offer great experience and expertise, and in other areas Australia does.
The FIGC will also provide advice and expertise to FFA in developing the Home of Football in Australia which is to include a technical centre and a domestic training base for Australias nine national teams.
Mr Lowy said the agreement also covers cooperation in the staging of international friendly matches between the mens and womens teams at all age groups as well as Futsal.
The Azzurri defeated us on the field in Germany in a very hard fought battle between us, and they went on to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
We are delighted to form this relationship with FIGC, Mr Lowy said.
