The AFC Asian Cup tournament will kick off in Melbourne 100 days, Victorian Minister for Sport Damian Drum said the AFC Asian Cup was a great chance for Victorians to see world-class football at a world-class venue.
“The people of Victoria can see seven games of the best football Asia has to offer including the opening match featuring the Socceroos against Kuwait on January 9, 2015,” Mr Drum said.
Mr Drum commented that the Victorian Coalition Government is working hard with the Local Organising Committee to ensure the state is ready to welcome not only the 16 teams, but also the fans, the massive international media contingent and the VIPs who will converge on Victoria for the tournament.
“With more than half a million expected to watch the action live, and hundreds of millions watching on TV around the world, this will be an event to remember.” Mr Drum.
The 16 nations to qualify for AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 are Australia as hosts, defending champions Japan, Korea Republic and 2012 AFC Challenge Cup winners DPR Korea, along with Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Palestine. The 16 finalists will take part in a 23-day festival of football in five cities which the Socceroos will kick off with a match against Kuwait on January 9 in Melbourne, with the final set for Sydney’s Stadium Australia on January 31, 2015.
Mr Drum explained that Melbourne will provide the stage for defending champions Japan and former champions Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Drum added that Victoria will also be adopting two other teams, Bahrain and Jordan, for the tournament with both nations basing themselves in the state pre-tournament. Bahrain will be based in Ballarat for 16 nights prior to the tournament using the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility, while Jordan will undertake a 15-day pre-tournament camp at Mazenod College in Mulgrave.
