QANTAS Olyroos will play Japan U23s next month in a friendly at Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium, Niigata on Wednesday June 1, the FFA revealed today.
The match will be a curtain-raiser before the senior men’s international between Japan and Peru which will follow directly afterwards.
Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar knows the value of testing his players against the Japanese and also the gravity of travelling there at this moment in time.
“To play opposition of the calibre of Japan in the lead up to our qualifiers is a fantastic opportunity for us at this stage of our preparations," said the former Adelaide United coach.
“Japan have a proud football history at youth and senior level, but I am confident that we will be able to match them.
“I have many great memories of my time as a player in Japan (with Sanfreece Hiroshima) so to be able to assist the Japanese team in their recovery after the tragedies that have recently affected them is an honour and privilege."
The Olyroos are currently in Melbourne for a training camp with Australian-based players to prepare for the upcoming 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualifiers where they will face Yemen on the June 19 and 23 at venues yet to be finalised.
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