2015 AFC Asian Cup

[Jimbo]

Draw is on Fox Sports News atm...

 

[Jimbo]

We've got Oman and Kuwait so far. South Korea is the most difficult option from pot B

 

[Jimbo]

Group A - Australia, South Korea, Oman, Kuwait
Group B - Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China, North Korea
Group C - Iran, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain
Group B - Japan, Jordan, Iraq and the winner of the Challenge Cup

 

[Jimbo]

Group A runner up will likely face Japan in the semis. Winner should make the final

 

[Big Sam]

The people of Brisbane will be happy with that draw.

Roos/SK, Japan/Iraq, Saudi/China all at Suncorp.

Can't help but think Hindmarsh should also have been used as a venue a. to give the tournament a more national presence and b. to have a more appropriately sized stadium for low drawing matches.

 

[Jimbo]

Dream scenario - we top the group and play the semi final at Homebush on Australia Day...

 

[Big Sam]

Dream scenario - we top the group and play the semi final at Homebush on Australia Day...

Certainly doable. Otherwise it'll be the 27th at Hunter.

Would go close to smashing the ground record if the Roos played up there.

 

[Mong]

The people of Brisbane will be happy with that draw.

Roos/SK, Japan/Iraq, Saudi/China all at Suncorp.

Can't help but think Hindmarsh should also have been used as a venue a. to give the tournament a more national presence and b. to have a more appropriately sized stadium for low drawing matches.

The SK game should attract a few here. I might head out to the Japan game also.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Definitely keen for the Roos/Korea game. I guess I'll head along to the Japan game just for the atmosphere. Although, was a little underwhelmed by FC Tokyo's visit in the ACL. Surely this will be better, though.

 

[Misanthrope]

Pretty keen to get back to Oz to catch some games.

 

[Misanthrope]

This doesn't have bearing on 2015, but the AFC today announced that the 2019 tournament and those that follow will be expanded to 24 teams to allow more nations the opportunity to compete in the tournament.

They've also announced changes to the World Cup qualification route, expanding the final stage to six teams in each group and ensuring all games are on FIFA dates.

Some have argued that this latter change is one to ensure China has a greater chance of making the World Cup, which makes sense given their substantial population and economic advantages.

 

[Big Sam]

Like Europe, a move to 24 will dilute the skill level of the tournament.

Streamlining qualifying for both though is a good thing from a Socceroo perspective.

 

[Misanthrope]

It will certainly hurt the competition's quality, but it's not exactly at a stellar standard right now :lol:

 

[pennywisealfie]

love seeing games played on FIFA dates. this has hurt us in the past when they haven't.

 

[Big Sam]

Asian powerhouse China to call Campbelltown home for lucrative Asian cup football tournament

PETER WAY
MACARTHUR CHRONICLE CAMPBELLTOWN
MAY 22, 2014 4:51PM

AMPBELLTOWN has been named the host city for the Chinese football team ahead of January’s Asian Cup.

The 16-team tournament will be played at five host cities across Australia and in a coup for Campbelltown and its facilities, the Asian powerhouse nation will base itself in Campbelltown in the weeks leading up to next year’s tournament.

The announcement was made official by State Liberal sports minister Stuart Ayres at a press conference on Thursday, May 22 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

Mr Ayres was joined by Campbelltown mayor Clinton Mead, Asian Cup chief operating officer Mark Falvo, Macarthur Federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson, Campbelltown State Liberal MP Bryan Doyle and China vice consul Xiaolei Ren at the announcement

China chose to base its national team “the dragon” or “the great wall” in Campbelltown ahead of Asia’s biggest tournament.

The announcement is expected to also open up business opportunities and partnerships between China and Campbelltown.

Mr Ayres described the venture as a “wonderful announcement for Campbelltown”.

“China is the biggest nation and the biggest team in Asia and this is a great endorsement for the facility,” he said.

“It (Campbelltown Sports Stadium) is one of the best surfaces in Sydney to train on and is the envy of any other destination.”

The team will bring more than 35 players and staff as well as what is expected to be a massive media ensemble.

Mr Falvo outlined the potential benefits to Campbelltown.

“It is a chance for Campbelltown to forge an ongoing relationship with China,” he said.

“It will be China’s 11th consecutive appearance at the Asian Cup, they have 26 million registered football players which is more than any other nation.

“The tournament will be watched by more than 500 million viewers world wide and this partnership is a strong reason for Chinese travellers to come to Campbelltown.”

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...tball-tournament/story-fngr8h70-1226926805547

Lol at "powerhouse".

 

[thorson1987]

Lol at "powerhouse".

FOTM won't be happy.

 

[Misanthrope]

Surely the use of the term 'powerhouse' is ironic?

 

[Misanthrope]

[youtube]mcTWAmyytpI[/youtube]

Amped!

 

[hellteam]

How come Newcastle have a semi and 3rd place play off? I don't particularly have a problem with it, just seems a strange decision. Would have thought melb/Adelaide were better options.

 

[Big Sam]

How come Newcastle have a semi and 3rd place play off? I don't particularly have a problem with it, just seems a strange decision. Would have thought melb/Adelaide were better options.

Because a 2.5hr drive to/from Sydney is cheaper and less time-consuming for fans and players respectively?