Socceroos to Canberra

Okay I'm only joking and that's the problem.

Queensland announced a 5 games in 5 years deal yesterday. Adelaide are complaining that their city is missing out.(see below)

But what about Canberra with a heap of Asian Cup Qualifiers coming our way surely Canberra could bid for a game every two or four years.

Anyone even aware the games are up for grabs in Canberra?
Canberra Tourism, Aussport, Canberra Stadium, Canberra Business Council, ACT Government, Canberra Times, ABC Radio, Canberra Airport, all pulling in harmony together on this one....

Facilities cost SA soccer coup
Article from: The Advertiser
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24358781-5006373,00.html
RICHARD EARLE

September 17, 2008 12:30am

A SOCCEROOS fixture bonanza that Football Federation Australia boasts has "put Queensland on the world football map" highlights Adelaide's future as a backwater without a new, multi-purpose stadium.

Armed with top-class Suncorp Stadium as its selling point, a pro-active Queensland Government has persuaded FFA to make Brisbane "the home of the Socceroos". Five blockbuster Australia fixtures have been scheduled until 2013 in the Sunshine State.

The dream deal places Queensland at the coalface of Australia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Asked if a high-capacity, multi-purpose stadium in Adelaide would make SA competitive in attracting blue-chip Socceroos games, FFA chief executive Buckley said: "The obvious answer is yes.

"That doesn't mean we automatically disqualify the other venues. However, it's consistent with any sport that the better the spectator experience the more likely you are to get increased attendances."

Queensland Government's coup contrasts with the approach of its South Australian counterpart.

Sport Minister Michael Wright said state Labor was pumping $100m into an AAMI Stadium upgrade.

"This revamp will bring AAMI Stadium in line with international standards and it will put SA in a stronger position to compete for major events," Mr Wright said.

However, AAMI Stadium was rejected by AFL fans this season and is widely criticised as unsuitable by other sports.

Buckley said AAMI Stadium met FIFA capacity requirements to host World Cup matches but could struggle to satisfy benchmark expectations in other areas.

"One of the factors FIFA does evaluate is intimacy to the pitch," Buckley said.

"Clearly when matches are played in rectangular venues the fans are closer to the pitch and action and that has a beneficial effect."

Buckley believes Queensland, which hosts a Socceroos World Cup qualifier with Qatar on October 15, is crucial in underlining Australia's multi-city capability to host a World Cup.

"We are actively going to seek the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup," he said.

It's understood the best Adelaide can hope for, with B-grade facilities including inadequate Hindmarsh Stadium and AAMI Stadium, is a low-key Asian Cup clash.

"Depending who it is and what time of the year, Adelaide will come into contention," Buckley said.

Mr Wright said the state government had a "strong relationship" with FFA but had not bid for Socceroos matches having previously lured Women's Asian Cup and Olyroo games to Adelaide.

Mr Wright defended SA's investment in sports infrastructure, saying: "The funding contribution to both the AAMI Stadium and Adelaide Oval redevelopments is more cost effective than the Liberals economically irresponsible proposal to spend in excess of $1b building a new stadium."