Socceroos To Play Two Matches Against South Africa

The Australian Soccer Association (ASA) today announced that it has secured two matches for the Socceroos against South Africa, with the first match in London, England on Tuesday 30 March 2004 and then an agreement to again play the 'Bafana Bafana' in South Africa on Wednesday 9 February 2005.

The Australian Soccer Association (ASA) today announced that it has secured two matches for the Socceroos against South Africa, with the first match in London, England on Tuesday 30 March 2004 and then an agreement to again play the 'Bafana Bafana' in South Africa on Wednesday 9 February 2005.

The Socceroos, led by coach Frank Farina will be playing their second match in 2004, following on from the game against Venezuela in Caracas on Wednesday 18 February.   Nicknamed Bafana Bafana ('The Boys'), South Africa will provide the Socceroos with a style of football from another rising football continent, and the South African community in London will match the Green and Gold army for vocal support.

Farina was delighted to get the two games against a quality opponent that is currently ranked 36 in the FIFA World Rankings.   “Obviously South Africa is one of the leading countries within that region (Africa) and is regularly playing at World Cups,” Farina told a media conference. “So it will be a test in terms for us, playing a quality opponent that are regularly at World Cups and major competitions.”  “When Frank Lowy came in, he said it was very important that the we get the international schedule moving and he is proving that to be correct. We have locked another two games away now, which is fantastic news.

“I believe South Africa is a quality opponent. I would love to play Argentina, Italy, England all the time but it-s simply not feasible. There-s only a certain number of teams you can target and we did that and we locked away South Africa and I am happy with that as I am sure Frank Lowy and the board are as well,” Farina added.  The match against South Africa will be the second home game for the Socceroos in England, following the match against Jamaica last September that was played in Reading. A venue in London in London is yet to be confirmed although negotiations are close to finalisation.   The Socceroos have played South Africa 17 times at senior international level between 1947 and 1996, winning only 5 times with 1 draw and 11 losses. The last match against South Africa was on 18 September 1996 in Johannesburg, with the Bafana Bafana winning 2-0.  

The Australia line-up that day was: - Zeljko Kalac (gk); Andrew Marth, Robbie Hooker, Milan Ivanovic, Tony Popovic (red card 28'), Alex Tobin (Capt), Craig Foster (Warren Spink 70'), Milan Blagojevic (Sean Cranney 62'), Damian Mori, Ernie Tapai (Alistair Edwards 68'), Paul Trimboli.

Australia has fared better at youth level (Under-23 & Under-20) having played South Africa 6 times, winning 4 times with 1 draw and 1 loss.

ASA would like to acknowledge the support of The Football Association (The FA, England) for their approval of the scheduled match in London during the FIFA international match week.