Caltex Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk has assembled a 26-man squad for this month's twin friendlies that will help determine his FIFA World Cup roster.
The players on show against Norway and Colombia have the chance to show the new boss what they can do as they push to squeeze into the final 23 for Russia.
Here's all you need to know about the March friendlies.
Bert van Marwijk settles on 26 players for March friendlies
Hyundai A-League players in the Caltex Socceroos squad
The bolters in van Marwijk’s first Caltex Socceroos squad
Who?: Norway
Current world ranking: 56
Where?: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
When?: Friday, 23 March, 6pm (local) / 4am AEDT (Saturday, 24 March)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network Ten
Norway squad named ahead of Caltex Socceroos friendly
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Star player:
Current skipper Stefan Johansen is a driving force in his country’s engine-room as well as a vital cog in Fulham’s midfield as they push for promotion back to the English Premier League.
Squad news:
Form:
Norway played two friendlies in the November FIFA window, going down 2-0 to FYR Macedonia and 1-0 to Slovakia.
Previous meetings:
The last time the two sides met was in 2004 with goals from Tim Cahill and Josip Skoko earning Australia a 2-2 draw in a friendly at Craven Cottage.
Their only other meeting was in the early stages of Terry Venables’ tenure as Australian coach in 1997, a 1-0 win for Australia in Sydney with Robbie Hooker scoring the game’s only goal.
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Who?: Colombia
Current world ranking: 13
Where?: Craven Cottage, London, England
When?: Tuesday, 27 March, 8pm (local) / 6am AEDT (Wednesday, 28 March 2018)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network Ten
Colombia squad named ahead of Caltex Socceroos friendly
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Caltex Socceroos v Colombia: fixture history
The Colombian stars you may not know about
Star player:
It’s impossible to go past James Rodriguez; at just 22 years of age he shot to prominence with a series of eye-catching performances at the last World Cup, earning a move to Real Madrid. He’s currently on loan at Bayern Munich.
Form:
Colombia played two friendlies in November, losing 2-1 to South Korea before accounting for China 4-0
Previous meetings:
The two nations haven’t met since 2001 when they played a friendly in Bogota, won 3-2 by the hosts with Steve Corica and Scott Chipperfield scoring late goals for Australia.
In 1995, Colombia visited Australia for two internationals which resulted in a goal-less draw in Brisbane and a 1-0 win for Colombia three days later in Sydney.