It’s been an exciting week for Australian football. Governing body Football Federation Australia announced the tour of English powerhouse Manchester United, where it will lock horns with the A-League All-Stars on July 20, 2013 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
It’s fixture which has many waiting with a great deal of anticipation.
For the first time since 1999 football giant’s Manchester United will be visiting Australia. Many fans will have fond memories of their last tour down under, when the Red Devils faced the Socceroos in a two-legged encounter in Melbourne and Sydney.
From reports demand has been at a premium with thousands of tickets snapped up within minutes of opening to the general public. In many ways, this shows the global pulling power of the 19-time English champion, and more importantly illustrates football’s potential pulling power in Australia’s cluttered sporting landscape.
The match will be played at the Olympic Stadium – an arena the Red Devils played the last time they toured Australia – with organisers confirming that United will be fielding its full squad in the star-studded exhibition game.
“I’m delighted that the NSW Government’s agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with ANZ Stadium, has won an Australian and New Zealand exclusive to host Manchester United in NSW, the home of world class sport,” NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said.
“Manchester United is the most successful English football club in history, having won 19 Premier League titles, 11 FA Cups and three European Cups, and the match against our A-League team promises to be an exhilarating contest.
FFA CEO David Gallop also revealed that the A-League All-Stars team would be picked by the fans – a fantastic initiative with fan engagement a key priority under Gallop’s rein as head boss.
The structure is not entirely known at present, however it is believed that fans will vote for a preliminary squad of A-League players, where a panel from the FFA will decide on a final squad.
The All-Stars concept is one which has a mass amount of potential, and will certainly be an outstanding success in Australia. The notion is derived from American sports; in football’s case, the MLS All-Stars team has received a glut of worldwide media attention each year.
In 2012, the MLS All-Stars was on show for its 17th successive year, facing reining European and FA Cup winner’s Chelsea. The English side didn’t field its most potent line-up; but was overhauled nonetheless by the All-Star team, losing 3-2 in a tightly fought contest.
The only downside to next year’s edition will be the absence of some A-League Socceroos players, who will be on duty in South Korea, following the national team’s qualification on Sunday for the AFC East Asian Cup next July – involving host’s South Korea, Japan and China.
On the contrary, there will be a raft of talented players up for selection, including some of the league’s best visa players. The likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Thomas Broich, Marcos Flores, Emile Heskey, Marcelo Carrusco and Besart Berisha will all provide an enticing exhibition of football.
“It’s early days but certainly the interest has been overwhelming and an annual fixture is something that clearly we’d be extremely interested in,” Gallop explained.
“In some respects it’s analogous to Alessandro Del Piero, in that having Manchester United here and making it a success may well entice other overseas clubs to turn their eyes to the A-League.
“Therefore it’s all blue skies ahead.”
Whatever the outcome is of this glamour friendly, it’s sure to put the A-League on the world map, with millions of viewers anticipated to tune in across the globe.
Well done to all parties involved, from the FFA, NSW Government, to Manchester United, for getting this innovative idea, to become a reality.
Courtesy of Goal Weekly
Follow Robbie on Twitter @RobertDiFabio
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