Australia vs Argentina in Melbourne on June 6
A-R-G-E-N-T-I-N-A MMM
The Premier, Steve Bracks, and Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer Ben Buckley, today announced the Melbourne Cricket Ground will host an international blockbuster, when Australia takes on Argentina on Wednesday 6 June.
Following the enormous success of Australia’s farewell match ahead of the World Cup against Greece last year, Melbourne and the MCG will play host when Australia takes on the number three ranked nation in the world.
“Securing the Argentinean game for Melbourne is a highlight in the football calendar. This is the second of four games to be played in Melbourne and follows the sell out match of 95,000 at the MCG between Australia v Greece in May last year,” Mr Bracks said.
“That sell-out alone brought $11.9 million of economic benefit to Victoria.
“This will be a hit-out of the highest quality. Argentina is a world football powerhouse and the Socceroos have shown they well and truly belong on the world stage
“Melbourne will continue to see some of the most significant football matches in Australia every year until at least 2009.
“Football is now a mainstream sport in Australia and this Socceroos game against Argentina will not only attract huge interest and large numbers of interstate visitors, it will give the Socceroos a massive boost before heading to compete in the Asian Cup.”
Chief Executive Officer of Football Federation Australia, Ben Buckley said this game would be a showcase of first class quality football.
“The Road to the Asian Cup starts in London next week when the Socceroos play Denmark and will culminate with this blockbuster match in Melbourne,” Mr Buckley said.
“Argentina is ranked third in the world and will travel directly to Australia from another major game in Europe, so the Socceroos are expecting just the sort of serious test they need before they take on the best of Asia in July.”
The remainder of the four year package includes:
• 2008 – a preliminary round match for FIFA World Cup Qualification - one of Australia’s first World Cup matches since its membership of the Asian Football Confederation
• 2009 – a final round match for FIFA World Cup Qualification that could decide if Australia qualifies for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals in South Africa.
Chairman of the Victorian Major Events Company, Sir Rod Eddington, said that this was another example of Melbourne’s ability to attract and host such world class events.
“Victorian Major Events Company is delighted that the first match against Greece was such a success and provided a great boost for Melbourne, and to follow it up with a match against another major football team, Argentina, is excellent.” he said.
He said the matches in 2008 and 2009 would generate significant tourism and broadcast opportunities into important tourist markets for Victoria such as Japan, China, India and Korea.
Tickets to the 6 June match at the MCG will go on sale to the public in early March, preceded by a priority offer for the Football Family.
The match will be live and exclusive on FOX Sports.
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