Australia to play Indonesia in tsunami relief match

Australia to play Indonesia in tsunami relief match

Agence France-Presse, Sydney, Australia

Australia will play Indonesia in a soccer friendly in March with the proceeds going to the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster, the Football Federation Australia said.

The FFA said in a statement late Friday the match would take place in Perth on March 29.

"The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nominated Indonesia for this match and we are delighted to accept," FFA chief executive John O'Neill said in the statement.

"Indonesia was heavily affected by the (Dec. 26) tsunami. There was a huge loss of life and we are pleased that we can follow the lead of the federal government by supporting our neighbors," he said.

"Perth was seen as the ideal choice to host the match considering their close proximity to Indonesia."

Australia will now have two home matches during the Easter period with an international against Iraq in Sydney on March 26 followed by the game with Indonesia three days later.

"The two matches over the Easter period give us further chances to engage with our Asian neighbors," O'Neill said.

O'Neill said the funds from the Indonesia match would go into the FIFA/AFC solidarity fund which was established just after the disaster.

Australia (ranked 58th) has played Indonesia (ranked 91st) 12 times with the Australians winning nine times with two draws and a loss.