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USA final Cup warm-up

USA final Cup warm-up

03/15/2010 11:11:48 PM

Australia's final warm-up match for the 2010 World Cup will be against the USA on June 5, with FFA confirming that the two teams will meet at the Socceroos' Johannesburg training venue, Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort.

Australia has already confirmed it will play New Zealand on May 24, while it is strongly rumoured that Denmark will be the opponent for a friendly on or around June 1 in South Africa.

It means that the USA, which is drawn in Group D alongside England, Algeria and Slovenia, will be the final hit-out ahead of the tournament opener against Germany on June 13 in Durban, and the final chance for players to press for selection for that game.

Given coach Pim Verbeek has to confirm his final 23 players by June 1, he is likely to choose his strongest side possible for the final friendly.

Verbeek said that this match was crucial for his team's preparations for the tournament.

"The USA are a very strong team and of course will be participating at the FIFA World Cup," he said.

"They narrowly lost to the Netherlands recently, which shows their qualities, so this match will be very good preparation us."

"Their style of play will allow us to test our players against similar opposition to what we will face at the World Cup."

Australia has played the USA on two previous occasions, winning in 1992 and drawing in 1998.

Interestingly, Australia could meet USA in the second round of the World Cup should both qualify from the group stages.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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