midfielder
Well-Known Member
From The Age...
AUSTRALIA is poised to make a sensational swoop to host the 2011 Asian Cup, while also bidding to bring the FIFA Club World Cup to Sydney in 2009 or 2010.
The Sunday Age believes Qatar announced as 2011 Asian Cup host only last July is reconsidering its position and officials from the Qatari Football Association have scheduled a meeting with Asian Football Confederation bosses in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to discuss the situation.
Qatar was the sole bidder for the 2011 tournament and while no official reason has yet been given for the oil-rich emirate's possible backflip, AFC officials have placed Australia at the top of a shortlist of countries to step in.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said FFA would seriously pursue the opportunity to host the 2011 Asian Cup and would welcome any invitation to do so by the AFC.
"Obviously, it would be an exciting opportunity for football fans to experience the best of Asian football, which is going from strength to strength," Buckley said.
"It would also be good for Australia. Playing a game that was invented in England, in a competition that is based in Asia, is a true intersection of our history and geography."
AFC requirements for the tournament include a host nation being able to post up to $30 million in funding guarantees from government sources.
Adding a twist is the fact that the AFC President, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam, is also a member of Qatar's Advisory Council of State, a body equivalent to a national parliament. But the AFC's plan B is so advanced that Australian state governments have already given approval to enable FFA to step in and host the tournament.
It is believed the Queensland, Victorian, and NSW governments have agreed to guarantee at least $30 million in joint funding to back an Australian bid for the region's top soccer tournament.
Key to FFA's interest is that a 2011 Asian Cup held in Australia would be considered a showcase for a 2018 World Cup bid, the host of which will be decided in 2011.
The tournament would also accelerate political jockeying with rival sports for access to stadiums and training facilities during a major international tournament.
FIFA regulations state that confederation competitions must be held in January or July, opening the door for potential clashes with midyear Australian football and rugby league matches.
Alternatively, the tournament would be held in the height of an Australian summer, coinciding with the middle of European seasons.
FFA is also bidding to host either the 2009 or 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, previously held in Japan but subject to open bids for next year's tournament. Submissions close on May 15, with Australia's bid rivals confirmed as Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
Traditionally hosted by one city, FIFA's executive committee will announce the winning bids for 2009 and 2010 at its congress in Sydney on May 17.
Italian giant AC Milan won last year's tournament, contested by the continental champions of Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania and host nation Japan.
Sydney FC represented Oceania in the 2005 tournament, losing in a quarter-final to Costa Rican team Deportivo Sarprissa 1-0 before finishing fifth by beating Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-1 in a play-off.
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AUSTRALIA is poised to make a sensational swoop to host the 2011 Asian Cup, while also bidding to bring the FIFA Club World Cup to Sydney in 2009 or 2010.
The Sunday Age believes Qatar announced as 2011 Asian Cup host only last July is reconsidering its position and officials from the Qatari Football Association have scheduled a meeting with Asian Football Confederation bosses in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to discuss the situation.
Qatar was the sole bidder for the 2011 tournament and while no official reason has yet been given for the oil-rich emirate's possible backflip, AFC officials have placed Australia at the top of a shortlist of countries to step in.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said FFA would seriously pursue the opportunity to host the 2011 Asian Cup and would welcome any invitation to do so by the AFC.
"Obviously, it would be an exciting opportunity for football fans to experience the best of Asian football, which is going from strength to strength," Buckley said.
"It would also be good for Australia. Playing a game that was invented in England, in a competition that is based in Asia, is a true intersection of our history and geography."
AFC requirements for the tournament include a host nation being able to post up to $30 million in funding guarantees from government sources.
Adding a twist is the fact that the AFC President, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam, is also a member of Qatar's Advisory Council of State, a body equivalent to a national parliament. But the AFC's plan B is so advanced that Australian state governments have already given approval to enable FFA to step in and host the tournament.
It is believed the Queensland, Victorian, and NSW governments have agreed to guarantee at least $30 million in joint funding to back an Australian bid for the region's top soccer tournament.
Key to FFA's interest is that a 2011 Asian Cup held in Australia would be considered a showcase for a 2018 World Cup bid, the host of which will be decided in 2011.
The tournament would also accelerate political jockeying with rival sports for access to stadiums and training facilities during a major international tournament.
FIFA regulations state that confederation competitions must be held in January or July, opening the door for potential clashes with midyear Australian football and rugby league matches.
Alternatively, the tournament would be held in the height of an Australian summer, coinciding with the middle of European seasons.
FFA is also bidding to host either the 2009 or 2010 FIFA Club World Cup, previously held in Japan but subject to open bids for next year's tournament. Submissions close on May 15, with Australia's bid rivals confirmed as Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
Traditionally hosted by one city, FIFA's executive committee will announce the winning bids for 2009 and 2010 at its congress in Sydney on May 17.
Italian giant AC Milan won last year's tournament, contested by the continental champions of Europe, South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania and host nation Japan.
Sydney FC represented Oceania in the 2005 tournament, losing in a quarter-final to Costa Rican team Deportivo Sarprissa 1-0 before finishing fifth by beating Egyptian side Al Ahly 2-1 in a play-off.
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