King Italy
11-03-2001, 03:12 AM
Soccer Australia has confirmed that the first leg of the World Cup qualifier between Australia and the fifth-placed South American team will be played at the MCG on Tuesday 20 November.
FIFA has determined that the return leg in South America will be played five days later on Sunday 25 November (Monday 26 November Australian time).
For the press conference to announce the scheduling decision, Soccer Australia chairman Ian Knop invited the media to a local soccer field in Sydney where his son was playing.
Knop said he was thrilled to announce that the dates desired by Soccer Australia for the match against France and the World Cup qualifier at the MCG had been accepted by FIFA.
“This is a significant win for Soccer Australia. For the first time in the history of Soccer Australia we have gone to FIFA on two issues and won them both,” Knop said.
“The first issue was the national team representation versus France. The second was the World Cup qualifier dates.
“We wanted the dates at home for the first two games (France and first qualifier). The coach (Frank Farina) and I are delighted.
“I think it’s a great outcome and for the first time we are starting to effect change at FIFA.”
Knop paid tribute Dr Sahu Khan of the Oceania Soccer Federation for the influence that he was able to wield in the meetings with FIFA.
He thanked soccer fans in Australia for their patience and urged them to get behind the Socceroos in the upcoming campaign.
“I’m describing Australia’s soccer supporters as the ANZAC army of soccer, because they’ve been long maligned by other so-called football powers,” Knop said.
In regards to whether he had head of any reaction from the South Americans Knop said, “I don’t care, we’ve won.”
“Bring the game on, we are going to qualify.”
It had earlier been reported that FIFA might switch the dates and order of home and away games for ties, because the South American qualifiers do not finish until 14 November.
That would have left the South American team with even less time to arrive in Australia and prepare for the crucial Melbourne match, originally set for 18 November.
FIFA has determined that the return leg in South America will be played five days later on Sunday 25 November (Monday 26 November Australian time).
For the press conference to announce the scheduling decision, Soccer Australia chairman Ian Knop invited the media to a local soccer field in Sydney where his son was playing.
Knop said he was thrilled to announce that the dates desired by Soccer Australia for the match against France and the World Cup qualifier at the MCG had been accepted by FIFA.
“This is a significant win for Soccer Australia. For the first time in the history of Soccer Australia we have gone to FIFA on two issues and won them both,” Knop said.
“The first issue was the national team representation versus France. The second was the World Cup qualifier dates.
“We wanted the dates at home for the first two games (France and first qualifier). The coach (Frank Farina) and I are delighted.
“I think it’s a great outcome and for the first time we are starting to effect change at FIFA.”
Knop paid tribute Dr Sahu Khan of the Oceania Soccer Federation for the influence that he was able to wield in the meetings with FIFA.
He thanked soccer fans in Australia for their patience and urged them to get behind the Socceroos in the upcoming campaign.
“I’m describing Australia’s soccer supporters as the ANZAC army of soccer, because they’ve been long maligned by other so-called football powers,” Knop said.
In regards to whether he had head of any reaction from the South Americans Knop said, “I don’t care, we’ve won.”
“Bring the game on, we are going to qualify.”
It had earlier been reported that FIFA might switch the dates and order of home and away games for ties, because the South American qualifiers do not finish until 14 November.
That would have left the South American team with even less time to arrive in Australia and prepare for the crucial Melbourne match, originally set for 18 November.