Football
AAP 5y

Australia schedule friendly with Son Heung-min's South Korea in June

Australia will warm-up for the start of its World Cup qualifying campaign with a friendly against Son Heung-Min's South Korea in Busan on June 7.

The clash with the Taeguk Warriors will be the first match for Graham Arnold's Socceroos since January's ill-fated Asian Cup campaign.

Both Australia and Paulo Bento's South Korea suffered disappointing quarterfinal exits at the continental championship, eventually won by Qatar.

June's match will come seven months after both teams met in a pre-Asian Cup friendly in Brisbane, with Massimo Luongo's late strike securing a 1-1 draw for the Socceroos.

- Jukic: Arnold's startling U-turn on youth development

Arnold said with the first stage of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup to begin later this year, the South Korea match would be a key plank to his preparations.

"I am itching to get together with our boys in Busan," Arnold said.

"Next month's camp and friendly in Korea will provide a great chance for us to work with a selection of players who we expect to play a part on our road to Qatar over the coming years."

Australia's squad for the match will be announced later this month.

The draw for the first round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 World Cup will be held in July with matches to be played in September, October and November.

^ Back to Top ^