Dear Miss Roneberg
Congratulations
You have booked to attend AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND at Craven Cottage, London
on Thursday 9th June 2005 starting at 7.45pm
You have booked 2 x STEVENAGE ROAD STAND UPPER--ADULT at £27.50
Total includes a transaction fee of £1.50 for postage & packing
You have been charged £56.50
Thank you for booking with Fulham Football Club

Details on the Match

Football Federation Australia have confirmed that tickets for the upcoming Football International between Australia and New Zealand at Craven Cottage in London are now on sale

The match, to be played on Thursday 9 June at the home ground of Fulham Football Club, will be the final match for Australia as they prepare for the FIFA Confederations Cup commencing when the Qantas Socceroos play hosts Germany, in Frankfurt on June 15

When the two countries met in the OFC Nations Cup during 2004 in Adelaide, Australia won 1-0 thanks to a Marco Bresciano free kick

National Coach Frank Farina said the match would prove to be a vital Test Match ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup
"We will be looking for an impressive performance against New Zealand from our Confederations Cup squad," said Farina
"We have a very tough game straight afterwards against Germany and we want to go in with a good hit out behind us
So far in our matches in London we have had great support so we are urging all Australian's to get out and support us
New Zealand is a traditional sporting rival for Australia and playing this match in London is a great chance for people from both countries to come to the game and support their nation"

Last time Australia played in London they had a thrilling 2-all draw against Norway in a match that featured eight English Premier League players in the starting line-up for the Qantas Socceroos

FFA also announced that it had entered into a two-match deal with Fulham FC to host the game against New Zealand and also an International against Colombia on August 16.
FFA CEO John O'Neill said his organisation was happy to play Australia's 2005 London home matches at Craven Cottage.
"We received terrific support from Fulham FC when we played at Craven Cottage against Norway and we are delighted to announce we will be playing our next two home London matches there," said Mr O'Neill

The Venue
Craven Cottage
Address - Stevenage Road, Fulham, London SW6 6HH

Click on the aerial photo to see seven photos of the Stadium

The Result

Late winner - Colosimo's strike nestles in the net

An 86th-minute Simon Colosimo goal gave Australia victory in their friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage in London this morning (AEST)

But the Socceroos, using the match as a tune-up for next week's Confederations Cup, struggled to break down a disciplined Kiwi defence

Just as the game seemed destined for a scoreless draw, the winner came when Tim Cahill played the ball out to the left, where Scott Chipperfield centred to an unmarked Colosimo
The Perth Glory midfielder had time for a controlling touch and then drilled his left-foot drive into the bottom right corner

It will have come as a relief for coach Frank Farina, whose position has been the subject of further speculation this week

Socceroo striker Mark Viduka was left out of the squad, with caution required on his long-term hamstring injury in the lead-up to the Confederations Cup

In the absence of Marco Bresciano and Vince Grella - both on club duty with Parma - the Australian midfield was controlled by Josip Skoko in partnership with young Jon McKain and Tim Cahill in front of them
Brett Emerton and Scott Chipperfield were the wide men supporting lone striker Mile Sterjovski in a 4-2-3-1 formation

Australia's best first-half chance came in the 23rd minute when Cahill rose to make a far-post header that was well saved by Kiwi keeper Mark Paston

But the best chance of the half came in the 29th minute when New Zealand forward Brent Fisher was released in the box but, with only Mark Schwarzer to beat, dragged his shot across the face of goal

New Zealand again had the better chances in the second-half, with Adrian Webster's long-range effort just wide of Zeljko Kalac, who replaced Schwarzer at half-time

All White centre-back Che Bunce then forced a diving save from Kalac in the 72nd minute, while Australia - persisting with a lone striker - pushed forward down the flanks without producing any real scoring opportunities

Gradually Australia began to take charge, with substitutes Colosimo and Ahmad Elrich providing some much-needed energy to midfield

But there will have to be a dramatic improvement before Wednesday if Australia is to upset Germany in the opening Confederations Cup game

After the Game

Tanya's ticket

I am here at work after another cracking win by the Aussies over New Zealand in the soccer!!
Ha ha ha ha ha!!

Some of those Kiwis play like they are All Blacks! - geez, its not rugby!

The Fanatics Supporters Group

Anyway, it was a fun night

During the game

That is a great photo that you got, Dad
Mine aren't quite that good but I love looking at the Kiwi goalie spread out on the ground looking at the ball hit the back of the net!!

Apparently it was live in New Zealand
I got a text from a friend who was watching it - how funny

Tanya and Jono

Jono enjoyed it to - he came and watched the Champions League Final with me a day after he arrived - remember I told you that?
And last night was his first live game
I'll have him converted yet!!