Lavish base for Socceroos

FFA Head of Corporate and Public Affairs Bonita Mersiades told The World Game on Friday that a team of experts - including sports scientists, medical people and Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek - had earlier this year looked at possible venues in South Africa and after consulation a decision was made to base the team in the "Johannesburg area", although she refused to confirm any details.

A South African newspaper has reported that the Socceroos will train at Milpark Stadium, on the campus of the University of the Witwatersrand, while the elegant Westcliff Hotel, the city's only five-star resort styled hotel, will house the squad and support staff.

An FFA contingent were in South Africa recently to help promote Australia's 2018/2022 bid to host the World Cup, with FFA CEO including FFA CEO Ben Buckley "overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the Confederations Cup: it proved critics [who doubted South Africa’s ability to host major events] to be wrong."

And with the Socceroos reaching an all-time high of 16 in the latest world rankings released by FIFA, expecations on Pim Verbeek's side to do better than the Guus Hiddink led side of 2006 are growing.