Ange Postecoglou and Captain Lucas Neill have called for Australians to come together for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou and Captain Lucas Neill have called for Australians to come together in a united national effort one year ahead of Australia-s biggest ever football event, AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
On Sunday, 12 January 2014, Newcastle will mark one year to go with a range of fun and free community events expected to draw big crowds to Newcastle-s central square, Wheeler Place from 10.30am
As the count-down began on the final year of preparations, Postecoglou urged everyone in the Hunter region to unite behind the Socceroos as well as the nation-s efforts to deliver a world class event.
“The Socceroos are the people-s team, and the Asian Cup is the people-s tournament,” he said.
“This is a chance for Australia to shine on and off the field and unite for the Asian Cup.
“We are one of the most multicultural nations on earth, and for the first time we are hosting the top 16 teams in the world-s biggest region.
“First we have the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, then six months later we host the AFC Asian Cup. Australian football has never known a time quite as exciting as this.”
Newcastle will host four matches, including a semi-final and the 3RD v 4TH place play-off.
Newcastle fans will know which teams they can look forward to seeing when the Asian Cup draw takes place at a glittering ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on March 26.
Three weeks earlier the final round of qualifiers will determine which nations join the 12 teams who have already qualified – Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, as well as Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, now has its own website – www.afcasiancup.com.
It contains news updates, videos, photo galleries and team profiles of all nations who will contest Asia-s biggest single-sport event, playing 32 matches in 23 days in the five host cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle from January 9-31, 2015.
CEO of the Local Organising Committee Michael Brown urged everyone interested in football and major events to register on the website to receive updates and ticketing information.
“Our website is another important step in our growing engagement with sports fans in the Hunter,” Mr Brown said.
“Fans should visit it regularly and register to stay up to date on the latest news on the Asian Cup, and the teams and players taking part.”
