Indonesia Tsunami Game

[kevin_kyle]

http://www2.sbs.com.au/home/index.php3?id=54382
Australian Tsunami fundraiser set
Football Federation Australia

Football Federation Australia today announced that the Qantas Socceroos would play Indonesia in Perth on March 29 with proceeds going towards victims of the Asian Tsunami disaster.

"The Asian Football Confederation nominated Indonesia for this match and we are delighted to accept," said FFA CEO Mr John O'Neill from Perth where he attended the launch of Hyundai A-League club Perth Glory.

"Indonesia was heavily affected by the tsunami. There was a huge loss of life and we are pleased that we can follow the lead of the federal government by supporting our neighbours."

"Perth was seen as the ideal choice to host the match considering their close proximity to Indonesia."

"I'd like to acknowledge the support of the WA Events Corporation for their willingness to assist in the staging of this international match. It's been a decade since the Australian team has played in Perth and we are certain there will be a big appetite for international football in Western Australia."

The Qantas Socceroos will have two home matches during the Easter period with an international against Iraq at Telstra Stadium on Saturday March 26 followed by the clash with Indonesia which is likely to be at Subiaco Oval on Tuesday March 29.

"The two matches over the Easter period give us further chances to engage with our Asian neighbours," said Mr O'Neill.

"We have two national teams coming to Australia after much turmoil in their homelands and we look forward to welcoming them here."

Mr O'Neill confirmed that funds from the match would go into the FIFA/AFC solidarity fund which was established just after the disaster.

The fund was created to concentrate on reconstructing the footballing infrastructure in the affected areas including the rebuilding of pitches and supply of equipment.

Australia (ranked 58th) has played Indonesia (ranked 91st) on 12 occasions with the Australians holding a 9 wins, two draws and a loss record.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good gesture by Australia.
Has anyone seen much of Indonesia play?
Right after the Iraq game...
Might be some quality left in Australia.
Clubs are going to be rioting about it though.
I think it is really good for Perth...they deserve it...the only capital that has really backed a team in recent times.

[atlas]

Both the Iraq and Indonesia games will give Australia (Oceania) more of a chance to establish much needed closer links with Asia.

We all know the Olyroos played Iraq's Under 23 team at the Olympics, but I think the National Team has not played Indonesia since about 1990, I think.

Having two fixtures close to one another for th Australian National Team is definately a good thing.

It will be interesting to see, which fixture draws the bigger crowd.

[Clint]

Sydney should be simply embarrassed if the Australia-Indonesia match in Perth draws more.

[kevin_kyle]

It is good that the have dealt up a few more games.
There should be more games organised in London and Europe for us though during the international fixtures.
Most of the time our boys twiddle their thumbs while a lot of their teammates are off to play for their national sides.
We should organise more friendlies against teams like Morroco and Egypt while the European nations are World Cup Qualifying. They should take the opportunity to play any nation not involved in WCQ. Most international players play in Europe anyway.

[atlas]

We should organise more friendlies against teams like Morroco and Egypt while the European nations are World Cup Qualifying. They should take the opportunity to play any nation not involved in WCQ. Most international players play in Europe anyway.

Definately! Some of us seem to forget how close Northern Africa is to London. There are quite a few Moroccans playing in Europe, especially in France. Even if you look at Senegal the vast majority of their squad from the 2002 World Cup were also based in France and would have few problems getting released for games played in somewhere like London.

[rooboy91]

Mr.O'Neill must use a different atlas to me.


Perth is closer to Jakarta than Sydney. Might need a new atlas.

[Rooneymad]

"Perth was seen as the ideal choice to host the match considering their close proximity to Indonesia."The only thought I have as to why he said that was that they're both located right near the Indian Ocean.
Very strange thing to say though.