THE SOCCEROOS are set to play a friendly match against Romania in Spain next month as part of Australia's preparations for their last four World Cup qualifiers.
In their first international of 2013, Australia will take on FIFA's 33rd-ranked side Romania on February 6 (6am February 7, AEDT) in Marbella, their last chance of match action before the World Cup qualifier versus Oman in Sydney.
Socceroos manager Holger Osieck seems intent on picking a full-strength side against Romania, who are ranked three places ahead of Australia, after praising the European side.
"With the recent matches in the Korea Republic and Hong Kong we have seen some new players added to the group and as a result the competition for places in our group has increased.
"This match will not be just a friendly but also a good test for the players ahead of our important qualifier against Oman."
After their match against Oman, the Socceroos are set to play three World Cup qualifiers in June.
Australia will travel to take on Japan on June 4 before hosting Jordan (June 11 in Melbourne) and Iraq (June 18 in Sydney) to wrap up their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A venue has yet to be confirmed for the friendly between Romania and Australia but Marbella's top club, Union Deportivo, play out of a stadium with just 7,300 seats in the fourth tier of Spanish football.
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