Australia eyes Cup hosting double

Rick James · Post by **Rick James** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:13 pm

AUSTRALIA could launch an ambitious bid to host two of the world's biggest sporting events - football's World Cup and Asian Cup - within the space of three years.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has confirmed FFA will make a strong push to host the 2015 Asian Cup.

But leading FFA official John O'Sullivan claims such a bid would not rule out a challenge for the 2018 World Cup.

"I don't think if we host in 2015 it rules us out in 2018, it probably gives us a better opportunity to show our wares to FIFA,'' said O'Sullivan, the FFA head of commercial responsibilities.

"Australia's got proven event credentials. We've shown the world we can host Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, the Rugby World Cup, swimming world championships, and we do it well.

"So I don't think it's a case of hosting one event one year rules out another event another year.

"We've always said that it's about setting a pathway of events. We've secured the first two in the AFC gala awards in November and the FIFA congress in May of next year.

"They're the major off-field events, so we'll now look at the major on-field events of which the AFC Asian Cup is one, the women's World Cup is another and obviously the FIFA World Cup.''

The 2015 Asian Cup and 2018 World Cup are the earliest Australia could hope to host either tournament.

With Qatar confirmed as host for the 2011 Asian Cup at the weekend, Australia will have until 2009 to prepare a bid for the 2015 event.

South Africa is due to host the 2010 World Cup, but under FIFA's rotational policy, the 2014 edition will be played in South America.

No continent has yet been slated for the 2018 tournament but the rotation is up for confirmation in November.

mattieg1200 · Post by **mattieg1200** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:36 pm

wud be awesome to have both.. i reckon they should apply for both.. surely the world cup has to be in oceania/asia sometime.. i kno it was in japan but oceania was the target lol..

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:52 pm

no way should australia get a world cup. You're not good enough and your facilities are not good enough.

I might be mistaken but germany had 10 different venues in 10 different cities that all held over 35,000. You don't even have 10 cities and don't tell me Newcastle or something like that because that's too close to Sydney. Not to mention 2 of your 4 biggest stadiums are walking distance apart. That just can't work.

Napoli · Post by **Napoli** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:26 pm

Does this mean that Hindmarsh might get an extension??

delfino_1936 · Post by **delfino_1936** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:39 pm

Also FFA have announced they are discussing terms with Iraq coach Jordan Vieira about become the new Australia coach

rooboy1986 · Post by **rooboy1986** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:03 pm

I honestly believe a bid should be formed by ANZ... Australia & New Zealand...

it is a big enough event and i think as co-hosts we can really make it an awesome tournament...

thoughts?

Napoli · Post by **Napoli** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 12:47 pm

What has New Zealand got to give us?? Go it alone is what Australia should do.

pino · Post by **pino** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:11 pm

Hawkesy wrote:no way should australia get a world cup. You're not good enough and your facilities are not good enough.

I might be mistaken but germany had 10 different venues in 10 different cities that all held over 35,000. You don't even have 10 cities and don't tell me Newcastle or something like that because that's too close to Sydney. Not to mention 2 of your 4 biggest stadiums are walking distance apart. That just can't work.

In a 32 team competition you only need 8 stadiums..and I think we have 8 in Australia that can hold more than 35000. MCG, Telstra Dome, Telstra Stadium, SCG, Suncorp Stadium, Aami Stadium, Subiaco that is 7 off the top of the head. There is also the Gabba, Aussie Stadium, Bruce Stadium in ACT. Probably need 1 more stadium built as well as upgrades for those mentioned but certainly we have the basis for holding the tournament. Germany's population is also 4 times that of Australia (84million) so I think we are doing pretty well.

gunther · Post by **gunther** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:31 pm

suncorp, aussie stadium, telstra stadium, telstra dome, MCG

extensions to hindmarsh, bruce stadium.

new purpose built stadiums in perth and melbourne/sydney and a venue in new zealand such as the proposed stadium new zealand or Eden Park.

up to 10 possible world class venues with the majority being soccer stadiums and opposed to the oval football stadiums.

definately think we have the ability to stage the world cup and stage it well.

Rick James · Post by **Rick James** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:59 pm

Adelaide has not got the facilities to hold a world cup let alone an Asian cup game. We would struggle to hold around about 100,000 tourists in one day were would we put them lolâ€¦ Hindmarsh stadium would need to be redeveloped to a 50,000 or 60,000 capacity stadium with car park if we have any chance of holding a game here â€¦

Instead our leaders in state parliament are spending money on crap that we dont need like the tram line in the city...

Vote 1 for Rick James

mattieg1200 · Post by **mattieg1200** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:15 pm

yer thats true rick.. a carpark is a major problem for hindmarsh.. wat about aami stadium ?? i kno its for footy but i think that wud be gud..

Rick James · Post by **Rick James** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:19 pm

Do you really want to sit in aami stadium which is designed for AFL footy and get crapped on by those seagulls?

Rick James · Post by **Rick James** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:38 pm

Plus aami has its own problems with car parking and transport to the groundâ€¦ I think it would be a disgrace to have a World Football tournament held at an AFL stadiums like Aamiâ€¦can u imagine thousands of Football lovers from around the world lining up to watch there country play in a world cup or Asian cup game at aami stadium with giant crowâ€™s â€“ mania and Power-mania (if they can afford 1) signs outside the stadium? (I doubt the SANFL or AFL would help the FFA cause if we ever do win a tournament like this it would be the end for them all)

Judge Judy · Post by **Judge Judy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 2:44 pm

rooboy1986 wrote:I honestly believe a bid should be formed by ANZ... Australia & New Zealand...

it is a big enough event and i think as co-hosts we can really make it an awesome tournament...

thoughts?

my thoughts:

australia = asia
nz = oceania

what are your thoughts on them co-hosting a tournament

Missing Post Count · Post by **Missing Post Count** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 4:52 pm

._. wrote:
rooboy1986 wrote:I honestly believe a bid should be formed by ANZ... Australia & New Zealand...

it is a big enough event and i think as co-hosts we can really make it an awesome tournament...

thoughts?
my thoughts:

australia = asia
nz = oceania

what are your thoughts on them co-hosting a tournament

Fifa has already said it won't allow co hosting again

Hawkesy · Post by **Hawkesy** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:30 pm

pino wrote:In a 32 team competition you only need 8 stadiums..and I think we have 8 in Australia that can hold more than 35000. MCG, Telstra Dome, Telstra Stadium, SCG, Suncorp Stadium, Aami Stadium, Subiaco that is 7 off the top of the head.

So from those 7, you are only using 5 cities. Do you really think it's practical to have 2 stadiums that you can basically walk between. 2 stadiums both in Sydney and Melbourne and then you're 8th means 2 in Brisbane. Not really practical. Meaning you would have 4 international sides support based next to each other for 2 weeks. Do you really think any city apart for Sydney (and maybe Melbourne) can handle that.

With the size of the country it's not really practical to move teams between cities either, wouldn't be fair to say this week it's England v Spain in Adelaide and next week England v Morocco in Perth....

I'm sorry guys, but I just don't think logistically you can do it, unless you get 6 larger cities from somewhere. Can you imagine Adelaide trying to cope with the largest amount of travelling supporters in England. We would probably bring 100K to Adelaide for 2 weeks, then how are those 100K all going to move on to Sydney for the final etc...