Grella says Netherlands perfect warm-up game

Australia couldn't have picked a much better opponent for a warm-up game than its weekend opponent, the Netherlands, according to Socceroos midfielder, Vincenzo Grella.

Australia couldn't have picked a much better opponent for a warm-up game than its weekend opponent, the Netherlands, according to Socceroos midfielder, Vincenzo Grella.

The Socceroos meet the Netherlands in an international friendly match as part of their preparation for the first of their round 4 qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Australia meets Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 10 September.

Speaking after two sessions of training on Tuesday in Mierlo (Netherlands), Grella said that he was looking forward to the "warm-up" game against Holland on Saturday night (local time).

"I don't think we could have picked a much better friendly game to lead into the World Cup Qualifier," Grella said.

"It's going to be a very hard test, but I think the boys are preparing well and everyone's looking forward to both matches."

Grella said that the result against the Netherlands is immaterial in his view.

"While there's no such thing as a friendly in football, it is a warm-up game for us and for them and it gives us a chance to work at what we need to do the business on the field against Uzbekistan.

"The qualifier won't be easy, but the most important thing is preparing well as we want to get as many points as we can early in this round of qualifiers.

"We have eight games to go to get to the World Cup, and we're going all out for it."

Grella is also impressed by his new club in Barclays Premier League, Blackburn Rovers.

"I've only been there for a couple of days, so first impressions have been good. The club is very professional, the set-up is professional. It's been a while on the cards and I'm happy to be there now.

Asked about the lack of availability of his beloved Parma Ham and Reggiano cheese at his new home, Grella had a strategy in place to overcome the obstacle.

"Well I think I'm going to be getting it sent over from Italy. I've struggled to find it, but we'll get around it.

All Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

Upcoming Match Details

International Friendly

Netherlands v Australia Saturday 6 September 2008 Kick-Off 8:45pm (2045hrs) CEST (4:45am AEST, Sunday 7 September 2008) Philips Stadium, Eindhoven, Netherlands TV Broadcast: Live & Exclusive on FOX SPORTS 2 - 4:30am AEST (4:00am ACST, 2:30am AWST) Sunday 7 September 2008

2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier - Round 4

Uzbekistan v Australia Wednesday 10 September 2008 Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Kick Off 8.30pm UZT (2030hrs) (1:30am AEST, Thursday 11 September 2008) TV Broadcast: Live & Exclusive on FOX SPORTS - 1.30am AEST (1.00am ACST, Thursday 11 September & 11.30pm AWST Wednesday 10 September)

2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier - Round 4 - Fixture Schedule

6 Sep 2008: Bahrain v Japan 6 Sep 2008: Qatar v Uzbekistan 10 Sep 2008: Uzbekistan v Australia 10 Sep 2008: Qatar v Bahrain 15 Oct 2008: Australia v Qatar 15 Oct 2008: Japan v Uzbekistan 19 Nov 2008: Qatar v Japan 19 Nov 2008: Bahrain v Australia 11 Feb 2009: Uzbekistan v. Bahrain 11 Feb 2009: Japan v Australia 28 Mar 2009: Japan v Bahrain 28 Mar 2009: Uzbekistan v Qatar 1 Apr 2009: Australia v Uzbekistan 1 Apr 2009: Bahrain v Qatar 6 Jun 2009: Qatar v Australia 6 Jun 2009: Uzbekistan v Japan 10 Jun 2009: Japan v Qatar 10 Jun 2009: Australia v Bahrain 17 Jun 2009: Bahrain v Uzbekistan 17 Jun 2009: Australia v Japan