'Super June' hot on the heels of FIFA Congress
The Socceroos and the Matildas kick-off a frenetic five weeks of football with a rare double header to be played at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 23 May, presented by FOXTEL.
The Socceroos and the Matildas kick-off a frenetic five weeks of football with a rare double header to be played at Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 23 May, presented by FOXTEL.
"The Socceroos are in Australia from next Monday; the Matildas will be competing in the Asian Women's Cup; the Qantas Under 23s are competing in a tournament in Malaysia; and Australia is also hosting the 58th annual FIFA Congress in Sydney," Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley said.
The Matildas will meet Canada just prior to flying out to Vietnam to participate in the Asian Women's Cup where the Matildas are considered to be amongst the top teams. Canada is in Olympic Games preparation mode.
The Socceroos will meet Ghana who are currently the African continent's best team, and ranked 14th on FIFA's world football ladder.
"The match at the Sydney Football Stadium on 23 May is a rare opportunity to see top men and women footballers with one entry fee, and it shows how big the game is for both male and female players."
Following the Ghana match, the Socceroos head into 'Super June' where they have four World Cup qualifiers in the month - against Iraq in Brisbane (1 June) and Dubai (7 June), against Qatar in Doha (14 June) and against China in Sydney (22 June).
"It is a particularly busy schedule but one which our players and staff are prepared for,” Buckley said.
"They're absolutely committed to making sure Australia gets to the next FIFA World Cup in 2010, and FFA will be taking every step necessary to support them in achieving that objective."
Buckley said the FIFA Congress is the biggest event in world football off the playing field and FIFA and FFA are investing considerable resources to ensure that it is a spectacular event.
“It also gives Australia a unique opportunity to showcase its credentials to host even bigger major events in the future."
Buckley said that issues to be considered at the Congress include the 'six + five' rule, principles for promotion and relegation, changes to regulatory statutes and the World Anti-Doping Code.
Also to be decided in the week of the FIFA Congress is the location for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010.
Australia has yet to put up its hand to host the tournament but, if FFA does so, Buckley said that Australia faces stiff competition from Japan, which has been the host for the past five years, and the United Arab Emirates.
Tickets are available to see the Matildas v Canada and Socceroos v Ghana from Ticketek on 132 849, online at www.ticketek.com.au or by visiting the nearest Ticketek outlet.