It's just over eight months until the the biggest football spectacle Australia has seen hits our shores, with venue packs for Football Family members now on sale.
It's just over eight months until the the biggest football spectacle Australia has ever seen hits our shores, with venue packs for Football Family members now on sale.
The AFC Asian Cup 2015 will pit together the top football nations from the continent and will be one the Socceroos will be desperate to win on home soil. Australia will certainly be a melting pot of international allegiances come January and the best way to support your nation is to get tickets to a game.
Former Socceroos captain and father-of-three Paul Okon has no doubt he will be spending a big chunk of the summer taking advantage of this unique opportunity and taking his kids to watch as many matches as possible.
Venue packs, which offer big discounts to fans watching all matches in one of the five host cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle, are now on sale to Football Family members and to the general public on May 19.
Individual tickets to Asia-s biggest football tournament , which start from $5 for kids and $15 for adults, then go on sale to the Football Family on May 27 and to the general public on June 2.
“I have three young boys who are crazy about football,” said the current Young Socceroos coach and Olyroos assistant coach.
“They are already asking when they can go and watch Australia," he said.
“No doubt I will be taking them along to watch as many games as possible.
“All of us who love football have an added responsibility to make the Asian Cup a great success by watching as many games as we can.
”I think $5 tickets for kids and $40 packages for families are great initiatives."
While Socceroo superstars like Tim Cahill and Tom Rogic are expected to lead the charge, Okon predicts big crowds and huge excitement from a new-look Socceroos team that could include emerging talents like Young Player of the Year Adam Taggart, fellow Newcastle Jet Josh Brillante and Dundee United defender Curtis Good, who made his Socceroos debut recently against Ecuador.
"I see no reason why we can't get close to the Asian Cup record crowd average of 31,000 set in China in 2004," Okon said.
"Hopefully we can make a statement worldwide that we are not only a good footballing nation but also a country that can host a serious football tournament."
A venue pack is the ultimate ticket for passionate fans wanting the best seats in the house for every match in one city, with a hefty saving of up to 20 per cent. It-s not too late to register for the presale. Just go to www.afcasiancup.com.
Highlights for fans buying venue packs in each of the five host cities include:
Sydney: Seven matches, including the final on January 31, a semi-final and a quarter- final. The semi and the final could involve the Socceroos. Sydney also hosts Australia's second group match against Oman and fellow World Cup finalist Iran's match against Qatar. All seven matches from $229.
Melbourne: Melbourne will not only host the opening ceremony, which precedes Australia's first match against Kuwait, but will provide the stage for Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, who between them have won 11 of the 15 Asian Cups decided so far. Seven matches including one quarter-final plus six star-studded group matches from $159.
Brisbane: One quarter-final and six group matches, including the much anticipated showdown between World Cup finalists Australia and South Korea. Brisbane will also host another World Cup finalist in Iran, and a standout match between the past two Asian Cup champions, Japan and Iraq. Brisbane also presents two matches involving China, sure to be followed by a large contingent from the local Chinese community. All seven matches from $139.
Canberra: One quarter-final and six group matches, including two featuring the mighty Korean Republic, World Cup finalists and twice Asian Cup champions. Canberra will also host China's match against dark horse North Korea, and matches featuring past champions Iraq and Kuwait. All seven matches from $109.
Newcastle: Four matches, including two at the pointy end of the tournament, a semi-final and the play-off for third place, either of which could involve the Socceroos . Newcastle will also set the stage for the first appearance of the mighty Japanese, reigning Asian Cup champions, and former winner Kuwait's tough match against Oman. All four matches from $99.
The AFC Asian Cup is Asia-s biggest football competition and was established in 1956.
The 15 nations to qualify for AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 are Australia as hosts, defending champions Japan, Korea Republic and 2012 AFC Challenge Cup winners DPR Korea, along with Bahrain, China, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.
The last spot will go to the winner of the AFC Challenge Cup, played later this month.
The 16 finalists will take part in a 23-day festival of football in five cities which the Socceroos will kick off on January 9, 2015, in Melbourne against Kuwait, with the final set for Sydney-s Stadium Australia on January 31, 2015
Fox Sports will broadcast the AFC Asian Cup throughout Australia.