Socceroos to play Paraguay in Brisbane

Football Federation Australia has announced in conjunction with the Queensland Government that the Socceroos will play 19th ranked nation Paraguay in an important preparation match leading into Australia’s final AFC Asian Cup qualifier. The PowerAde Cup match will be played on Saturday 7 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Football Federation Australia has announced in conjunction with the Queensland Government that the Socceroos will play 19th ranked nation Paraguay in an important preparation match leading into Australia-s final AFC Asian Cup qualifier.

The PowerAde Cup match will be played on Saturday 7 October at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Queensland-s Sports Minister Tom Barton and FFA chief executive John O-Neill AO jointly announced Queensland had secured the rights to the match, which is four days before the Socceroos final Asian Cup qualifying match against Bahrain in Sydney.

“This game is against another 2006 World Cup finalist ranked in the top 20 in the world, so it will be a vital match in Australia-s Asian Cup preparations,” said Mr. Barton.

“This comes hot on the heels of the State Government-s recently announced $500,000 development package for junior football throughout Queensland.

“Local football fans will savour a contest against a strong international power and a large contingent of our World Cup Socceroos are expected to play in this encounter.”

FFA chief executive John O-Neill added, "The FFA has a significant ambition to take the Socceroos around Australia and we are delighted that Football and sports fans in Brisbane will host the Socceroos so soon after their World Cup campaign."

The FFA-s “Football Family” initiative will apply for the match, with grassroots players and supporters in Brisbane having the opportunity to pre-register for priority access to tickets at MyFootball.com.au, until August 25th.

“We are planning to host some events in October around the matches against Paraguay and Bahrain where there will be an opportunity to acknowledge some of our World Cup players,” said Mr O-Neill.

"I'd like to thank the Queensland Government as well as Sport and Recreation Queensland for their support and enthusiasm to host the national team in Queensland."

Ironically the last time the Socceroos played in Brisbane was on 12 June 2000 against Paraguay, although it was played at the Gabba.

Paraguay was knocked out after the first round at the 2006 World Cup finals, losing 1-0 to both England and Sweden before finishing with a 2-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago.

Tickets are expected to go on sale to Australian sports fans in the first week of September following a priority sales period for the Football Family.