Australia set to host the 2015 Asian Cup
Roar Guru By Tifosi, 18 Sep 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- 2015 Asian Cup, 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 FIFA World Cup, Asian Football Confederation, football, International Football, Socceroos
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Australia's Harry Kewell heads the ball during their World Cup qualifier match Against China at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Sunday, June 22, 2008. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
With Australia’s bid to host the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup in serious jeopardy after reports that funding for stadiums has become a major problem, the 2015 Asian Cup appears to be Australia’s best bet in hosting International football on our shores.
A technical committee from the Asian Football Confederation has been in Australia undertaking an inspection tour of facilities and infrastructure for Australia’s bid for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
The delegation visited key stadiums, training sites and hotels around the country as part of the inspection tour.
Unlike the World Cup bid, Australia has suitable stadiums and training facilities to host an Asian Cup.
The stadiums under consideration include the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Canberra Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Olympic Stadium, Suncorp Stadium and Skilled Park on the Gold Coast.
Unfortunately for Perth and Adelaide, they once again miss out due to the insufficient state of their rectangular stadiums. The tournament will, therefore, be an East Coast affair only.
The tournament is scheduled for January 2015, which means these stadiums will be free from the other football codes ensuring top quality playing surfaces.
Football in summer also provides a better atmosphere and will ensure less competition for fans.
Another advantage of a summer tournament is that the sixteen training centres for the teams that will be required can include rugby league stadiums such as Parramatta Stadium, CUA Stadium, Toyota Park, Kogarah Oval, Bluetongue Stadium and AFL training centres, such as the Lexus Centre in Melbourne.
Academy of Sport centres such as the Australian Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport, NSW Academy of Sport, and the Victorian Institute of Sport, can also be utilised, along with football centres around the States, such as Central Coast Stadium and the NSW Football Training centre.
Australia hosting the FIFA World Cup is increasingly unlikely to happen, but the Asian Cup wont be a bad consolation prize.
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September 21st 2009 @ 10:26pm
Midfielder said | September 21st 2009 @ 10:26pm | Report comment
Pip
That 43 K figure is a new one on me … have you still got the link… but will change a lot of things if it does… but could make Japan a real option for us given time zone …
September 21st 2009 @ 10:42pm
Pippinu said | September 21st 2009 @ 10:42pm | Report comment
Mid
I’ve only got it in hard copy (the actual page the article is on).
It was news to me as well.
This is what it says: “Soccer’s governing body FIFA has strict guidelines for stadiums hosting World Cup matches, including a requirement they fit a minimum of 43,000 fans. Canberra Stadium currently holds 25,000.”
The ACT Govt reckons it can go to 30,000 easily enough, then the article says:
“But that’s one thing, going to 43,000 is a whole other thing and for that you’d probably need to build a whole new staium.”
September 21st 2009 @ 10:50pm
Pippinu said | September 21st 2009 @ 10:50pm | Report comment
Actually – I found it – here it is:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/world-cup-stadium-scuttled/1628117.aspx
September 21st 2009 @ 11:28pm
Midfielder said | September 21st 2009 @ 11:28pm | Report comment
Thanks Pip
September 21st 2009 @ 11:10pm
tifosi said | September 21st 2009 @ 11:10pm | Report comment
pip,
Im not sure where this 43,000 figure came from. I still believe its 40,000.
The ACT govt is now playing hardball. They have been screwed with the a-league bid and i think are getting some back. Without canberra on board the world cup bid is dead. Actually i think its dead already as it appears no one is willing to fund stadium upgrades.
The Asian cup is realistically all we can and should be hosting.
September 21st 2009 @ 11:16pm
Pippinu said | September 21st 2009 @ 11:16pm | Report comment
It such an odd number though – where the hell would they have got a number like 43,000???
But you’re right about playing hardball – every state government is doing the same thing – it’s clear to me that if Rudd is serious, he’s going to have to cough it up himself.
September 21st 2009 @ 11:31pm
Midfielder said | September 21st 2009 @ 11:31pm | Report comment
tifosi
Agree .. have read different articles saying the same thing but with a different view .. essentially all agree governments need to agree to fund … some say this is not due until mid next year some say in a few weeks… would not hurt FFA to come out with a statement … one way or the other…