Australia to play Malaysia friendly

Australia will face Malaysia for the first time in almost 20 years when they host the Asian nation in a friendly in Canberra next month.

The two teams have met seven times previously but not since 1992 when the Socceroos defeated Malaysia 1-0 in Jakarta.

Football Federation Australia said Friday the game would act as a warm-up ahead of the team's third 2014 World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney on October 11, four days after the Canberra test.

The Socceroos currently lead Group D in Asian qualifying with six points after defeating Thailand 2-1 and Saudi Arabia 3-1.