Football Federation Australia’s chairman announced an historic agreement between the FFA and the Italian Football Federation this morning.

Each country has vowed to exchange information and expertise with a friendly match to take place between the two countries Down Under, perhaps as early as June next year.

Part of the agreement also includes support for either country’s push to host a tournament, handing Australia a powerful ally in its push to host the 2018 World Cup.

Lowy is now hoping that Australia can use the next two days to make further powerful friends.

Making friends and securing greater influence is all part of the FIFA World Congress and Lowy is delighted that Australia is making serious progress on that front.

He said Sydney’s welcome mat to the thousands of delegates had been wonderful and certainly not done Australia’s hopes of gaining greater influence any harm at all.

Lowy said: “It has been a very tumultuous week for us hosting the FIFA Congress. It has been very fruitful, we have made a lot of friends.

"We had a lot of friends but we have made some more friends because the reception Sydney put up for our friends is just unbelievable. Everybody is very happy.

“It has been wonderful to meet all these people, see them one on one and have discussions with them because it advances Australia’s international standing. I think this congress has done that many, many fold.

“I can’t tell you what a big advantage this all. We can show our hospitality, our ability to organise and we can show that if we undertake to do something, we’ll do it well.

“Every country is important to have (as a friend), particularly Italy.”

The link with Italy will see the two countries swap expertise and ideas but it is the prospect of a friendly in Sydney which has whetted the appetite.

A strong Italian side would make the long trek to Australia when a date was fixed, according to the FFA.

Memories of the 2006 World Cup clash between the two countries are still fresh, the Italians edging out the Socceroos with a controversial last-gasp penalty.

Lowy said Australian-Italian relations had not been damaged by that incident with the only finger being pointed in the direction of the referee.

The FFA chairman said: “The referee in many, many people’s opinion made a big mistake.

"They took advantage of that. We would have taken advantage [if it had been an Australian penalty]. It is not an issue between us and Italy. We are very good friends.

“They will try very hard in the near future for an opportunity to come and visit us. The Italians are genuinely determined to come out here.

“It is wonderful. It would be one of the highlights of our football calendar.”

Lowry revealed today’s deal was the result of several months of groundwork.

He said: “In the last three or four months, our representatives went to Italy and it was discussed at length.

“It may be a ‘first’ for others to follow.”

Italian Federation president Dr Giancarlo Abete said Italy may have a long tradition and history of football but it was always looking to the future and a relationship with Australia and a different view of the game was part of that.

Dr Abete said tradition alone was not enough to guarantee remaining at the echelon of world football. He said: “We can learn from everybody.”