Asian Cup 2015: Attendances on track to smash half a million mark

ASIAN Cup attendances have exceeded expectations, with the pre-tournament aggregate crowd target of 500,000 set to be smashed.

Iraq supporters cheer during the first round Asian Cup football match between Japan and Iraq at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on January 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HAMILTON ---IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE---

ASIAN Cup attendances have exceeded expectations, with the pre-tournament aggregate crowd target of 500,000 set to be smashed.

The Cup reached its halfway point in terms of games on Friday night when Japan and Iraq met at Suncorp Stadium in the 16th match of the tournament.

The game, won 1-0 by Cup favourites Japan, was watched by a crowd of 22,941, lifting the total tournament attendance to 259,070.

That figure was set to receive a healthy boost on Saturday night, with close to 50,000 fans to flock to the Socceroos’ showdown with South Korea in Brisbane.

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Supporters cheer on Iraq during the Asian Cup match against Japan at Suncorp Stadium.

“The big ones are still to come — the knockout matches of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final itself — so we feel we are well on track to crack our target of half a million spectators,” delighted Asian Cup Local Organising Committee chief executive Michael Brown said.

“I take my hat off to the fans. They are helping us achieve our dream of staging a tournament that will never be forgotten.

“It’s not just the numbers — though they are impressive. It’s the passion and colour fans from all competing nations are bringing.”

Particularly pleasing for Asian Football Confederation Dato’ Alex Soosay has been the crowd figures at games not involving the host nation.

The Socceroos clash with South Korea is another sell-out crowd.

Similar matches struggled for numbers, particularly in the group stages, at the corresponding tournament in Qatar four years ago.

“It is amazing that a match between Qatar and Iran in Australia could amass more than 22,000 supporters,” Soosay said.

“The travelling fans have been a joy to watch, as they not only support their team, but they also bring a touch of culture and uniqueness to the game.”

Regardless of the result of last night’s clash between the Socceroos and South Korea, both teams had already qualified the quarter-finals, which kick off on Thursday in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Australia’s performances have attracted the attention of not only fans, but a host of scouts from overseas club.

The likes of striker Tomi Juric, goalkeeper Mat Ryan, defender Matt Spiranovic and attacking weapon Tommy Oar have all been linked with moves to bigger clubs.

However, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou insisted all the transfer talk was not distracting Australia’s bid to be crowned Asian champions.

“We had a good chat about it at the start of the whole campaign and made it pretty clear that the most important thing is what we do as a team and the individual stuff gets put in the locker until the end of the tournament,” Postecoglou said.

A range of cultures and love of football have been drawn to the Asian Cup.

“I’m not surprised some of our guys are getting attention and if we keep doing well that attention won’t diminish … the players have been fantastic.”

“I don’t think the players are getting too carried away and certainly internally the expectations have never really changed.

“Internally, players, staff and the organisation have been expecting us to do well.

“I think the excitement around the team is helping us, particularly with this group of players who are understanding now the impact it has on the country when the national team does well.”

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Attendances on track to smash half a million mark