Australia's preparations for the 2019 Asian Cup are all but finalised having secured a pre-tournament warm-up match against Oman, who are coached by former Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek.
The friendly at the neutral venue of Dubai will be the first time the Socceroos have faced their former coach since Verbeek parted ways with Football Federation Australia after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Reunited: Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is set to face his former boss, Pim Verbeek, in December. Credit:Steve Christo
Fairfax Media understands Oman have agreed to play Australia in late December, just a week before the start of the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE. Speaking after the Socceroos' 3-0 win over Lebanon on Tuesday night, coach Graham Arnold confirmed his intention to play one final warm-up match and sources suggest that will likely pit him against his former boss.
Arnold was the caretaker coach of Australia before being replaced by Verbeek on a permanent basis but continued to serve as an assistant to the Dutch manager for three seasons.
"We will probably have one [friendly] in Dubai roughly around the 30th, 31st of December just to give us that last hit-out. At the moment we've got the sports science team putting a document together exactly when the players finish their [club] competitions," Arnold said. "We have to make sure every player is at top fitness before they come into camp."
Verbeek spent three years coaching Australia between 2007 and 2010, guiding the Socceroos to their highest-ever world ranking of 14th and sealing qualification to the World Cup in South Africa. While mostly successful, his relationship with Australian football was not always harmonious. The 62-year-old heavily criticised the standard of the A-League.
Australia last played Oman in the group stage of the 2015 Asian Cup in Sydney, claiming a 4-0 win at ANZ Stadium.
Dominic Bossi is a football reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.
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