Adelaide vying with interstate competition to host a Socceroos World Cup qualifier in June
The Socceroos are in the frame to play a World Cup qualifier in Adelaide next year. But time is running out for SA to see off interstate competition and lock-in a home fixture on the national team’s road to Qatar 2022.
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Adelaide is a contender to host a Socceroos World Cup qualifier next year.
But time is running out for SA to secure one of two home fixtures in June, as interstate rivals vie to stage the national team on its road to Qatar 2022.
Football Federation Australia said it was committed to talks with the State Government about Australia playing in Adelaide during the current World Cup qualifying cycle.
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The State Government also said it was in “constant discussion” with the governing body regarding upcoming events, ahead of the Socceroos’ back-to-back mid-year clashes.
But a deal to hold matches on SA soil, likely at Adelaide Oval, is yet to be locked in.
The news comes after FFA announced on the weekend that the March 26 qualifier against Kuwait will be played at Perth Oval.
Graham Arnold’s side faces Chinese Taipei on June 4 and Jordan on June 9 in its final outings in the second round of Asian confederation qualifying.
An FFA spokesman said it was in ongoing confidential talks with a range of state and territory governments – including SA – over hosting national team matches.
“FFA is committed to holding discussions with the SA Government regarding the opportunity to bring the Socceroos to South Australia at some stage throughout the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification cycle,” the spokesman said.
He said locations for the June fixtures will likely be announced early in the new year.
The Socceroos last played in SA in June 2017, when Tom Rogic’s winner secured a 3-2 World Cup qualifier triumph over Saudi Arabia in front of 29,875 fans at Adelaide Oval.
They also drew 35,439 – Australia’s biggest home crowd in the opening phase of 2014 qualifying – for the 7-0 thumping of Tajikistan at the North Adelaide venue 14 months earlier.
A spokeswoman for tourism minister David Ridgway said the government has built “positive” ties with FFA, having thrown its support behind Australia’s 2023 Women’s World Cup bid.
But she refused to confirm if negotiations have commenced for the Socceroos’ June dates, which will avoid clashes with AFL fixtures given they are scheduled for midweek.
A spokeswoman for Adelaide Oval’s Stadium Management Authority said the stadium is “always open” to hosting major events for SA audiences.
The push for the men’s national team to return to Adelaide follows the Matildas’ successful visit for last month’s friendly against Chile.
A state record crowd for a female soccer match of 10,342 flocked to Hindmarsh Stadium for the encounter, doubling the attendance the last time Australia’s women’s team played there.
The Socceroos have previously appeared in Adelaide on 40 occasions dating back to 1923 and are unbeaten in their 11 competitive games in SA.
Australia, which sits top of its qualifying group with four wins from as many matches, will play a further five home games in 2020-21 if, as expected, it progresses to the next stage.