Adelaide Confirmed As Ofc World Cup Qualifying Ven

The Socceroos will start their journey to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Adelaide after the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) jointly announced the dates and venues for Stage Two of the OFC World Cup qualifying series.

Pic. Getty Images - Socceroo John Aloisi (pictured right at the 2002 World Cup qualifiers in Coffs Harbour) will relish the chance to play in front of his home town fans at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The Socceroos will start their journey to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Adelaide after the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and the Australian Soccer Association (ASA) jointly announced the dates and venues for Stage Two of the OFC World Cup qualifying series.

Hindmarsh Stadium and Marden Sports Complex will play host to the six-nation tournament, which will feature Australia and New Zealand as seeded teams, while the other four countries will be determined from Stage One of qualifying which will take place from 10-19 May in the Solomon Islands and Samoa.

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu are the teams competing for the right to progress to Stage Two in Adelaide.

The top two nations from the Adelaide tournament, which doubles as the 2004 Oceania Nations Cup, will playoff later in the year for a spot in the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and will also play each other again next year for the right to play the fifth best CONEMBOL (South America) nation for a berth at the World Cup finals.

"The Government is pleased that the Australian Soccer Association has chosen Hindmarsh Stadium for this extremely important tournament and I am sure that all South Australians will enjoy this wonderful spectacle and support our Australian team." said Minister Michael Wright, South Australian Minister for Recreation and Sport.

"Hindmarsh stadium is now operating as a world class venue and it is recognised that there is no better place in Australia to watch quality teams play than in a packed Hindmarsh Stadium." 

The Socceroos last played in Adelaide in February 1998 when they were defeated by Japan 3-0.

"The people of South Australia showed great support for Adelaide United in the NSL this year and we are certain they will relish the opportunity to see the Socceroos in action," said Australian Soccer Association Chief Executive Officer John O'Neill.

"It's been six years since the Socceroos have played in Adelaide and no doubt the sports fans of South Australia will savor the opportunity to see their first steps on the journey to the World Cup."

Hindmarsh Stadium will host a double-header on the evenings of Saturday 29 May, Monday 31 May, Wednesday 2 June, Friday 4 June and Sunday 6 June.

Marden Sports Complex will host an afternoon match on Saturday 29 May, Monday 31 May, Wednesday 2 June, Friday 4 June and Sunday 6 June.

The Socceroos will prepare for the OFC Nations Cup tournament with a two-match series against 2002 FIFA World Cup semi finalist Turkey at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on Friday 21 May and at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on Monday 24 May.

OFC NATIONS CUP 29 May - 6 June 2004 Adelaide, South Australia

Official Schedule   SATURDAY 29 MAY 2004 Group 2 No 1 v Group 1 No 1 - 2.00pm Marden Sports Complex Group 1 No 2 v Group 2 No 2 - 5.30pm Hindmarsh Stadium Australia v New Zealand - 8.00pm Hindmarsh Stadium

MONDAY 31 MAY 2004 New Zealand v Group 1 No 1 - 2.00pm Marden Sports Complex Australia v Group 1 No 2 - 5.30pm Hindmarsh Stadium Group 2 No 2 v Group 2 No 1 - 8.00pm Hindmarsh Stadium

WEDNESDAY 2 JUNE 2004 Australia v Group 2 No 2 - 2.00pm Marden Sports Complex Group 1 No 2 v Group 1 No 1 - 5.30pm Hindmarsh Stadium New Zealand v Group 2 No 1 - 8.00pm Hindmarsh Stadium

FRIDAY 4 JUNE 2004 New Zealand v Group 1 No 2 - 2.00pm Marden Sports Complex Group 2 No 2 v Group 1 No 1 - 5.30pm Hindmarsh Stadium Group 2 No 1 v Australia - 8.00pm Hindmarsh Stadium

SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2004 Group 1 No 2 v Group 2 No 1 - 2.00pm Marden Sports Complex Group 2 No 2 v New Zealand - 5.30pm Hindmarsh Stadium Group 1 No 1 v Australia - 8.00pm Hindmarsh Stadium

TICKETING DETAILS

Hindmarsh Stadium double headers

RESERVED SEATS ADULT $16.20 CONCESSION $13.20  (PENSION/STUDENT/CHILD)

GENERAL ADMISSION ADULT $11.20 CONCESSION $  8.20 (PENSIONER/STUDENT/CHILD) CHILDREN UNDER 12 $  4.20

All prices do not include booking fees. Tickets will be on sale Wednesday 5 May from all Venuetix outlets www.venuetix.com.au or (08) 8225 8888. Ticket prices to Marden Sports Complex are yet to be confirmed.