Australia went some way to easing the pain of losing out to Qatar in the 2022 World Cup race by being awarded the 2015 Asian Cup on Wednesday.
Football Federation Australia was the sole candidate for the event but still had to adhere to the formal bidding process by making its final presentation to the Asian Football Confederation’s executive committee.
“Today the AFC met and decided Australia would be the host nation for the 2015 Asian Cup,” AFC president Mohamad bin Hammam said at a press conference in Doha ahead of the 2011 tournament that kicks off here on Friday.
“We considered all the achievements made in Australia towards the development of football and to encourage the next step in developing the game, we are happy to announce the AFC has approved Australia to host the 2015 Asian Cup.”
The decision comes barely a month after Australia’s expensive failed bid to hold the 2022 World Cup, which humiliatingly received just one vote from FIFA’s executive committee.
Instead Qatar was surprisingly handed the tournament ahead of more fancied bids from not just Australia, but Japan, South Korea and the United States.
Bin Hammam, himself a Qatari, said he was confident Australia would host a top-class tournament in 2015.
“The AFC is happy that all the promises Australia has made will be met in good time,” he said.
“We have much interest in seeing the game develop even more in Australia and this is a part of that.”
Football Federation of Australia chairman Frank Lowy said his country had plenty of experience of hosting big events and the government was fully behind the bid.
“We are delighted that you, Mr President, and your executive committee decided to award the hosting of the 2015 Asian Cup to Australia,” he said.
“We will do the best possible job for the AFC and for Australia.
“The Australian nation will be on show not just on the field but also off the field.
“The people of Australia, the government of Australia are ready and able to host the Cup and ensure that football advances throughout Asia through the efforts of Australia.”
The tournament is planned for January 2015 and will feature the 16 top teams in Asia with matches to be played at four or five selected venues.
Those will be chosen from an initial eight stadiums put forward by Australia’s bid team.
These include Sydney’s ANZ Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium and Parramatta Stadium, Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium and AAMI Park, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, Gold Coast’s Skilled Park and Canberra Stadium.
Among the biggest challenges facing organisers will be the heat in what is Australia’s summer.
This, though, pales in comparison with Qatar’s predicament of hosting the 2022 World Cup in June-July when temperatures in the tiny Gulf emirate soar.
Qatar has insisted that it won the World Cup bid on the merits of a bold proposal to build climate-controlled stadia that will enable players and fans to be comfortable in its desert heat.
But there have been sceptics amid claims that the decision was political, linked to Qatar’s deep pockets.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Real Cartagena vs Atlético Huila 23 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz 23 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz 23 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Real Cartagena vs Atlético Huila 23 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Real Cartagena vs Atlético Huila 24 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz 24 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz 25 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Real Cartagena vs Atlético Huila 25 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Real Cartagena vs Atlético Huila 26 minutes ago |
|
Taiwoogundeji
posts a Over / Under tip on Rapid Vienna vs Sturm Graz 26 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
Auckland City vs Bay Olympic |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
Qabala vs Zira |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
SC Wanderers vs Queensland Lions |
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
Dinamo Zagreb U19 |
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
Aetos Varvaras |
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
I like soccer punter because it's free, enjoyable and no risk taking, you just give out your predictions without any charges,also it gives rewards to its members and upgrade them to platninum levels.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: