Sydney to host Socceroos

[MEE]

Sydney to host Socceroos

The Australian Soccer Association has announced that Aussie Stadium in Sydney will play host to the Socceroos home match against the Solomon Islands in the two-leg final of the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup on Tuesday, October 12 at 7.30pm.

The home-and-away series will decide which nation will represent Oceania at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup to be held in Germany in June next year.

All of the other seven positions at the tournament have been filled with Germany (as hosts), Brazil (as world champions), Tunisia (as African champions), Greece (as European champions), Mexico (as winners of the CONCACAF Gold Cup), Japan (as winners of the Asian Cup) and Argentina (as runners up to Brazil in the Copa America) waiting for the Oceania champions.

Australia and Solomon Islands reached the final of the OFC Nations Cup by finishing first and second after Stage Two of the competition held in Adelaide during June. In a thrilling final game the two nations drew 2-2.

Solomon Islands will host the first leg of the series in Honiara on Saturday, October 9 before the return match three days later.

ASA Chief Executive John O'Neill said that this series is a must-win as part of Australia's preparations to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

"It's vital that we win this series and qualify for the Confederations Cup as it will give us a chance to play quality matches against nations such as Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Japan and Greece," he said.

"This is a crucial part of the journey to Germany and the FIFA World Cup. It's the last chance to see the Australian national team in action on home soil this year."

"With the first leg away in Honiara we will need the support of Australia's sports fans to get us home in the second leg in Sydney."

Socceroos coach Frank Farina - currently in Greece attempting to win Athens 2004 gold with the Olyroos - said the Solomon Islands will prove to be a challenging opponent.

"The Solomons had a fantastic tournament in Adelaide and have improved a lot," he said. "Over in Honiara they receive fanatical support so we need to get the Australian fans to Aussie Stadium to support us."

"It's a fantastic venue to watch football and it will no doubt be an entertaining match. There is a lot at stake."

The ASA has introduced a special 'Football Family' offer giving the Australian soccer community the unique opportunity to buy tickets prior to them going on sale to the public.

"We wanted to give the players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and all the people involved in the game the first opportunity to buy tickets to see Australia's best players in action," added O'Neill.

A family ticket will be available for as little as $40 when they go on sale to the public on Tuesday, September 14.

AUSTRALIA v SOLOMON ISLANDS
OFC Nations Cup Final - Second Leg
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 @ 7.30pm
Aussie Stadium, Sydney

Tickets will go on sale to the public at 9am on Tuesday, September 14 from all Ticketek outlets, (02) 9266 4800 or www.ticketek.com.au.

CATEGORY A: Adults $50 - Concession N/A - Family N/A
CATEGORY B: Adults $35 - Concession $17.50 - Family $70
CATEGORY C: Adults $20 - Concession $10 - Family $40

* A $7.95 transaction fee per booking applies.

My only gripe is that this game being played in Sydney probably means that the final qualifying leg against the 5th placed South American side will be played in Melbourne, again. :roll:

Melbournes had there fair share and Telstra Stadium is much more appropriate for Football.

 

[El Coconuto]

Geez I can't wait to get my tickets for that one... #-o :roll:

 

[half]

i'll go if kewell goes

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Well 'arry said he was coming, so I'd expect all the little bandwagoners to have purchased tickets already.

Knowing Kewell, he will pull out at the last minute with an "injury".

Bresciano is playing - thats a good enough reason to go. People don't know how good this guy is. Now with Serie A on SBS, he will show you. ;-)

 

[Mad Dogg]

Bresciano is playing - thats a good enough reason to go. People don't know how good this guy is. Now with Serie A on SBS, he will show you.

Bloody oath. It's arguable who the 'better' player is between Bresciano and Kewell, but Bresciano has certainly become the most 'important' player for Australia over the last 12 months.

What do you reckon is the best line-up that we can put out? Bresciano on the left, Grella and Skoko in the middle with Kewell and Viduka up-front (which is what we will probably use)? Kewell on the left, Bresciano and one of Grella or Skoko in the middle with Viduka and Vieri as strikers? Cahill coming in? Or something else entirely?

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I'd go with:

----------------Schwartzer------------------

Neill------Popovic------Moore-----Lazaridis

------------Grella------Skoko---------------

---Bresciano-----Cahill------Kewell--------

------------------Viduka---------------------

 

[Mad Dogg]

No Emerton? Although his form hasn't been all that good since joining Blackburn, so you could be on to something. :-k

Can Bresciano play on the right? I've never seen him there, but if so then I probably agree with your team completely. Strong in the middle, the passing ability of Bresciano, Kewell's ability to beat his man, Viduka holding up the ball and getting on the end of chances, and Cahill buzzing around looking for any half-chances.

 

[Raider Ultra]

Franky's gunna go with a bog standard 4-4-2, as always, God he's crap.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

Franky's gunna go with a bog standard 4-4-2, as always, God he's crap.

Of course.

He'll never try anything new. What does it take for the ASA to realise he is a sh1t coach and always has been. I don't think he has made one positve contribution to this team since he started the job.

He has never tried an attacking formation either. He needs to go.