Socceroos bounced

Italy shuns Australia in favor of Uruguay friendly

ROME (Reuters) -- Italy will play fellow World Cup finalist Uruguay rather than Australia in a friendly on April 17.

It is a decision that has upset the Australians, but the Italians feel they need to play tougher, South American, opposition just six weeks before the World Cup begins.

Italy faces Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico in the first round of the World Cup while Uruguay face Frances, Senegal and Denmark.

Although the venue for the game has not been decided it will be somewhere in Italy as so many of the Uruguayan team play in Europe.

Uruguay qualified for the World Cup after beating Australia 3-1 on aggregate in a playoff in November.

Italy starts its countdown to the World Cup next week with a match against fellow-qualifier the United States in Catania before playing England at Leeds in March.

A spokesman for Soccer Australia confirmed the match against it was off Wednesday.

"They've told us they are playing Uruguay on April 17 -- the same date we were going to play them," he said.

The game against Australia was always in some doubt because of financial arrangements, but it lost its relevance altogether for the Italians once Australia were eliminated from the World Cup.

Italy and Uruguay have met six times before with each country winning twice with two matches ending in draws.

 

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