AUSTRALIA has dusted off plans to host the next Asian Cup in the hope that the Asian Football Confederation is about to re-open the bid process.
Interesting. I'd love to see the Asia Cup come to Australia in 2011, but I can't help but feel it would be intrusive. These countries wait years and years to host and we could potentially walk right in and a take up a spot from underneath them. I'd say it's logical to allow India, Iran, Qatar thrash it out for 2011 and allow us in the running for the next one. Obviously I'd love it to be here sooner rather than later but I know if I was in someone from one of the three aforementioned nations shoes I would heavily resent such a ruling. To get in for this one would feel like throwing our weight around don't you think? They prepared their bids without Australia in mind afterall.
Actually I kind of agree with you. Let us take on some of the "lesser" tournaments (as we seem to already be doing) first. ie age and womens tournaments. The only problem would be that we want to bid for 2018 or 2022 world cup and we should probably host an Asian cup well before the host for that is decided.
I think we should definately go for the 2011 AC only IF we are going to go for the 2018 WC. That way we can get experience in running major football events especially dealing with the many cultures that will come to Australia.
Australia already hosted an AFC Women's Cup, but I think this would be a valiant move to go forward with this one.
How about hosting the 2015 Asian Cup and bidding for the 2022 World Cup? I think we would be ready by 2018 to host a World Cup but in saying that i think it is too early to host the Asian Cup in 2011, the only reason being stated earlier, we have just arrived in Asia, and to suddenly jump in and host the major tournament of the continent would look a bit bad. ....although if noone really cares then host the damn thing in 2011.
I hope we don't get the 2018 WC, i don't think we'd be ready for it in time. 2022 is our time to go for it i think. I'd still like to see us go for the 2011 Asian Cup though. I think we'd be a fantastic host.
Please don't make me laugh Australia won't host a WC for a generation (if ever), the next time the WC comes to the Asian region it is going to China End of debate
Errrr......The only debate that was goin on in here is the one you just started!!Seriously mate, if you think Australia will never host a world cup, i'd say you're a tad deluded.
It would be great if Australia can host the 2011 Asian Cup but you know about Bin Hammams bias torwards his country Qatar.
Changing your tune now hey? You said Australia would be lucky to ever host the cup, now you're saying before 2050...... Go away mate, you're just a troll.
We should go for it, no offence but half the asian cup games in the middle east are played in 90% empty stadiums that wouldn't happen here look at the Rugby World Cup even games between minnows like Uruguay and Georgia were still attracting 20k+ also Australia has a large migrant population from the Asian region I bet you could find football fans of every single asian country in Australia who would go watch their team play. A bit soon to be talking about World Cups though, seriously could you imagine World Cup games being played on football grounds with hills!! we would be a laughing stock. We need at least 8-10 full seated 40k+ ground before we even think of hosting a cup. Right now we have: Telstra Stadium Aussie Stadium Suncorp MCG Telstra Dome Subiaco And I believe FIFA also have a restriction on one stadium per a city which makes things more difficult.
If Australia is ever going to host a a World Cup FIFA are going to have to change the rules regarding how many stadiums are in each city. Simply put Australia could never meet the current criteria as we only have afew big cities in our entire country.
SSbit: I think he was referring to the World Cup? I think we should have a shot at the 2011 Asian Cup then use that as a stepping stone for a 2022 WC bid. By that time, i think we could have the infrastructure in place. If we do get the WC, i hope we DON'T use any cricket stadiums!!!! ykickamoocow: I think these should be in our WC bid: Sydney - Aussie Stadium (45,000), Telstra Stadium (83,000) Melbourne - New rectangle stadium (31,000) Will need to be expanded to 50,000+ Brisbane - Suncorp Stadium (52,500) Perth - New retracable stadium (60,000) Adelaide - New Stadium (40,000+) This one is a worry.......Will they ever have a need for it in Adelaide? Gold Coast - Skilled Stadium (25,000) Will need to be expanded to 40,000+ Canberra - Canberra Stadium (25,000) Will need to be expanded to 40,000+ Newcastle - EnergyAustralia Stadium (26,000) Will need to be expanded to 40,000+ Townsville - Dairy Farmers Stadium (25,000) Will need to be expanded to 40,000+ There's 10 stadia there, alot of work to be done obviously, but i'm sure we could manage it.