Australia's World Cup preparations begin with a friendly match against Norway at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on Saturday morning (AEDT).
It will be Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk's first match in charge of the green and gold and he will be keen to integrate his style within the squad and get to know the capabilities of his players.
Norway missed qualification to Russia under Swede Lars Lagerback - finishing fourth in their qualifying group behind Germany, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic - and will be hoping to start developing their squad ahead of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.
While the final result doesn't count for anything, the Socceroos will be keen to hit winning form ahead of their next friendly against Colombia in London on Wednesday, while Norway will want to impress in front of their home fans.
| Game | Norway vs Australia |
| Date | Friday March 23 |
| Time | 18:00 LOCAL / 04:00 AEDT (next day) |
| Stream | Foxtel Now/Foxtel Go |
TV Channel & Live Stream
In Australia, the game can be watched live via Foxtel Now (free two-week trial).
New users can sign up for a free 14-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Airplay, Telstra TV, Playstation 4, Xbox One as well as on Google Chrome and Safari web browser.
The match will also be telecast live on Foxtel via Fox Sports and on free-to-air through Network Ten.
| AUS TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Fox Sports/Network Ten | Foxtel Now / Foxtel Go |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Australia players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Ryan, Jones, Vukovic |
| Defenders | Behich, Degenek, Jurman, Meredith, Risdon, Sainsbury, Susnjar, Wright |
| Midfielders | Brilliante, Irvine, Jedinak, Luongo, Milligan, Mooy, Petratos, Rogic |
| Forwards | Cahill, Juric, Kruse, Leckie, Nabbout, Rukavytsya, Troisi |
All of the big guns have been selected in Van Marwijk's first-ever Australian squad, with the only injury clouds over Trent Sainsbury and Matthew Jurman - who are both yet to play for their clubs this year.
This match and the fixture against Colombia are likely to be the only two games for the Socceroos before the World Cup.
Potential Australia starting XI: Ryan; Wright, Sainsbury, Degenek, Behich; Jedinak, Mooy, Leckie, Rogic, Kruse; Juric.
| Position | Norway players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Grytebust, Jarstein, Nyland |
| Defenders | Reginiussen, Nordtveit, Ajer, Rosted, Svensson, Meling, Elabdellaoui, Linnes, Aleesami |
| Midfielders | M.Elyounoussi, Daehli, Johansen, Midtsjo, Selnaes, Henriksen, Fossum, |
| Forwards | Odegaard, T.Elyounoussi, King, Sorloth, Johnsen |
Norway have picked a strong squad for their matches against Australia with attacking stars Martin Odegaard, Josh King and Alexander Sorloth all in the running to start.
Experienced striker Alexander Soderlund has been left out.
Potential Norway starting XI: Nyland; Meling, Reginiusssen, Nordveit, Svensson; Johansen, Odegaard, Henriksen, M.Elyounoussi; King, Sorloth.
Betting & Match Odds
Norway are outright favourites to win on home soil and you can get them at $2.10 via Bet365.
The Socceroos are clear outsiders at $3.50, while the draw is priced at $3.30.
Norwegian striker Tarik Elyounoussi is the shortest anytime goalscorer at $2.87 and you can get Australia's likely starting centre forward Tomi Juric at $3.60.
Australian talisman Tim Cahill is priced at $3.75 to score in the match but is likely to come off the bench.
Match Preview
It's a new dawn for the Socceroos under Van Marwijk and all Australian eyes will be on what formation and personnel the Dutch coach favours - and of course how the team functions.
Van Marwijk has great pedigree as an international manager - he took the Netherlands to the World Cup final in 2010, losing to Spain in extra time, and also recently steered Saudi Arabia to qualification for Russia before an internal dispute saw him resign.
Will he be able to integrate Australian playmakers Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic in the same team? Will he keep former coach Ange Postecoglou's back three or revert to a traditional back four? Who will play right-back and left midfield?
Many questions will be answered about Australia's structure and style of play with this contest likely to the penultimate match before they take on France in Kazan.
For Norway it's all about squad rejuvenation having missed the plane to Russia and Lagerback will be hoping to see a group of players emerge as leaders for their Euro 2020 campaign.
Their Premier League strikers Joshua King (Bournemouth) and Alexander Sorloth (Crystal Palace) have been in impressive form for their clubs and will pose a significant threat to an Australian defence likely getting used to a new system.
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