World champions France to play in Australia in November

Soccer Australia officials were celebrating a coup on Saturday as they drew up plans for World Cup champions France to play the national team in either Sydney or Melbourne in November.

"We're talking about it today," Soccer Australia chairman Basil Scarcella said on Saturday.

"It's very likely that it will happen, yes. It's great.

"They're the world and European champions coming to Australia. What could be better?"

The match will be played at either Melbourne Cricket Ground or Sydney's Olympic stadium on Armistice Day, November 11.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday that France would be contractually obligated to bring a first-choice side for the match which will provide the Socceroos with ideal preparation for their final assault on a World Cup berth.

According to the newspaper report, France cancelled a planned two-match tour of the United States to accept an invitation to play in Australia for the first time.

Although the match is during the European season, it is a free weekend in most countries as it coincides with the final round of cup qualifiers around the world.

As defending champions, France are not required to qualify for the 2002 World Cup finals in Korea/Japan.

As such, France should be able to bring most of their biggest stars, including reigning World Footballer of the Year Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.

Socceroo coach Frank Farina, who played as a professional with two French clubs, Strasbourg and Lille, is delighted not only with the quality of the opposition but also with the timing of the game.

"It's not often you get the world champions to play in your own backyard," he was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

"They're a great side, and traditionally France have always travelled with their best players, so we should have all the big names here. For us, it's also fantastic preparation.

"Providing we win Oceania, of course, the game falls just before the home-and-away play-offs against (a team from) South America.

"They'll (France) have their best players, but so will we."

Australian fans will be holding their breaths, however, as stars such as Leeds pair Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka must often battle their home clubs and injury in a bid to represent their country.