Australia to host both Olyroos qualifiers

Updated June 6, 2011 17:08:00

Yemen's home leg of its 2012 Olympic football qualifier against Australia this month has been moved Down Under due to the security situation in Sanaa, officials said.

The decision followed Football Federation Australia being advised by Canberra that it was not safe to travel to the Middle Eastern nation.

FFA suggested to the Yemen FA that both matches be played in Australia, which was agreed upon and ratified by FIFA.

"Obviously we are really happy with this outcome in light of the current situation in Yemen," Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

The matches will take place in Gosford and Newcastle on June 19 and 23 respectively.

Adelaide goalkeeper Mark Birighitti has been called up to the Olyroos squad to replace injured stopper Alex Cisak.

More than 200 demonstrators have been killed nationwide since protests in Yemen calling for the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh first erupted in late January.

Scores more have died in armed clashes between loyalist troops and dissident tribesmen.

Olyroos squad: Mustafa Amini, Aziz Behich, Mark Birighitti, Dean Bouzanis, Oliver Bozanic, Isaka Cernak, Kofi Danning, Diogo Ferreira, Matthew Foschini, Jason Hoffman, Marko Jesic, Matthew Jurman, Ryan McGowan, Tahj Minniecon, Aaron Mooy, Scott Neville, Mitch Nichols, Mirjan Pavlovic, Andrew Redmayne, Sebastian Ryall, Rocco Visconte.

- AFP

Tags: sport, football, australia, yemen

First posted June 6, 2011 16:30:00

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