Legend Zidane zooms off to Oz

ZINEDINE ZIDANE is set to play in an exhibition match in Australia where he will be joined by former Chelsea star Marcel Desailly and ex-Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires.

The France legend will appear in Sydney on June 1 and as well as Desailly and Pires, the international team will also include the likes of former Manchester United winger Jesper Olsen.

France's World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet will take charge of the team which will take on an Australia side made up of players from the 1997 World Cup qualifying squad. Frank Farina will coach the team that is expected to include ex-Middlesbrough pair Paul Okon and Tony Vidmar, ex-Portsmouth and Crystal Palace midfielder Craig Foster and Stan Lazaridis, who played for West Ham and Birmingham.

Australia and Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, who is recovering from foot surgery, said taking Zidane to Australia was a massive coup.

"'Zizou' is one of the biggest players in the world. He is poetry in motion, and he so passionate about football," said Cahill. "What a special opportunity this is for Australian kids to see him."