SHANGHAI, Aug. 6 -- AUSTRALIA will play China in a soccer friendly on Oct 13 at the Sydney Football Stadium, Football Federation Australia said today.

Chief executive Ben Buckley said he expected Australia's strongest squad to be available for the China match and an earlier one against Argentina in Melbourne on Sept 11.

"We've got no reason to expect that we won't have a full (strength) team for either the China game or the game against Argentina," Buckley said.

"We've written to the players over the past few days just outlining the schedule over the next six to 12 months and we'll be in discussions with them about their own individual programs."

Buckley said FFA was also hoping to schedule another friendly match in Sydney in May, while World Cup qualification matches are also likely to be played in Australia in February and June next year.

Australia lost to Japan on penalties in the quarterfinals of its first Asian Cup campaign last month.