SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou has expressed his relief at the deal struck by FIFA and the Greek government which has ensured the Socceroos will face Greece in twin friendlies in June.

FIFA announced overnight that Greece’s sports minister had agreed to reinstate the Greek Cup semi-finals, which he had cancelled in the wake of crowd violence, averting the threat of suspension which had hung over Greek football.

It means the games against Australia in Sydney on June 4 and Melbourne on June 7 will go ahead as planned, the final outings for the Socceroos before the final phase of World Cup qualifying begins in September.

Postecoglou has made clear his intention to use the games — both of which are expected to draw substantial crowds — as the final chance to experiment with players before the qualifying campaign resumes against Iraq on September 1.

“It would have been a disaster if the games hadn’t gone ahead, it would have left a huge hole in our schedule,” said Postecoglou.

“Greece will be a great opponent at a key moment for us.

“Just playing against a different kind of opposition, in front of what will hopefully be two massive crowds, gives the players a chance to experience something different before the qualifiers.”

The deal ended a stand-off in which the Greek FA was due to take its government to court on Friday to challenge the cancellation of the cup, and FIFA and UEFA had threatened to leave the country in international isolation.

The semi-finals will now be played, possibly with extra measures such as being behind closed doors or away from Athens, to avoid a repeat of ongoing crowd violence.

“We have reached an agreement, there is a commitment to begin the Greek Cup again,” FIFA delegate Kostakis Koutsokoumnis said.

“The matches may be held outside Athens, perhaps without spectators or perhaps with only schoolchildren in the stands. This will be decided upon by Friday between (sports minister Stavros) Kontonis and the FA.”