Socceroos v Greece being planned
Common sense has ultimately prevailed, and the Socceroos will, after all, take on Greece in Melbourne later this year.
The venue for the second of the two games against the former European champions had been in doubt last week, with claims that the Victorian government was stalling on reaching a deal to get Greece to play Australia in Melbourne. 
The first game was confirmed as taking place in Sydney in early   June at a press conference in the NSW capital earlier this week..
That match will take place on   June 4 at ANZ Stadium. The second game will now go ahead at Etihad Stadium on   June 7, not, as some had feared when a deal did not appear likely, in Newcastle.
With more than 300,000 people of Greek origin in Melbourne the game is likely to attract a near sell out crowd to 53,000-capacity Etihad Stadium.
"From a football perspective, Greece will give us a great test over the two matches, and obviously there is some personal significance for me," said Greek-born Ange Postecoglou, the Socceroos coach.
"I am very proud of my heritage and it will be a proud moment to coach the Socceroos against the country of my birth in front of my family and friends in Melbourne, where my parents settled to give us a wonderful life."
Bill Papastergiadis, the president of the Greek Community of Melbourne Assocation, was delighted that the deal had been done. His organisation had been lobbying the government to make sure the game was played in Melbourne.
"With Melbourne being the third largest Greek city in the world, the success of the event is ensured," he said.
"Hosting the match in Melbourne also makes sense economically.  It avoids a mass exodus of people and capital to Sydney.  I personally know of many people who will now make the trip from Adelaide and Hobart to Melbourne."
Australia and Greece played in Melbourne in 2006 before departing for the 2006 World Cup, with the Socceroos winning that game 1-0 in front of 95,000 fans at the MCG. 
Postecoglou will be hoping the friendlies provide a good tune-up for the second phase of their World Cup qualifiers, which they are expected to make.
Australia currently top their qualifying group with five wins and a loss, with only two first-phase home matches left in   March - against Tajikistan and Jordan.
With AAP