Socceroos to use charter flight for Syria World Cup mission

IT’S been 12 years since the Socceroos were involved in a World Cup playoff but they are poised to follow the same blueprint that ultimately delivered success against Uruguay.

Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill after the Socceroos defeated Uruguay in 2005. Picture: Getty Images

THE Socceroos are poised to reprise the blueprint for World Cup success from 2005, using a charter flight to whisk the players back to Australia from the first leg of their World Cup qualifier with Syria in Malaysia.

As Football Federation Australia still waits to learn the kick off time for the first leg, to be played at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on October 5, advanced plans have been drawn up for a bespoke flight back to Sydney after the game.

The plan would mimic the Qantas 747 that flew Guus Hiddink’s side back from Montevideo in 2005 after the first leg of the playoff with Uruguay, and would involve a six-figure investment in the Socceroos’ hopes of making the World Cup.

A dedicated plane would allow space for medical treatment and massages on the plane, as well as return the players to Sydney far more quickly than a commercial flight ahead of the second leg at ANZ Stadium on October 10.

It’s believed that the kick off time for the Syria game in Melaka has provisionally been set for 8pm local time (11pm AEST), though there are thought to be concerns within the Asian Football Confederation that the relatively late start time in Australian terms would impact on viewing figures.

Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, Tony Popovic, Tony Vidmar and Jason Culina celebrates the Socceroos’ win over Uruguay in 2005 that secured World Cup qualification. Picture: Getty Images

FFA, which declined to comment on the possibility of booking a charter flight, has already sent several letters to FIFA expressing concern over the organisation of the match, with Melaka only confirmed late last week after the Syrian FA had sought to host the game in the Middle East.

Australian officials have spent the days since trying to source a training base for the team in Melaka, which is some two to three hours’ drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur.

The late confirmation of the game has made it impossible for FFA to secure enough business class flights on commercial flights out of KL after the game, a situation that is likely to hamper the Syrian FA’s plans to transport its team to Sydney for the second leg.

It’s possible a charter flight could be booked to depart from Melaka Airport, which is currently used for a handful of regional flights each week, though a charter from KL is more likely.

Harry Kewell arrives in Sydney after a charter flight with the rest of the Socceroos in 2005, following the first leg of the World Cup qualifying playoff with Uruguay in Montevideo.

The 2005 flight became a significant weapon in Hiddink’s ultimately successful bid to lead Australia to qualification to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.

Uruguay moved the kick-off until late in the evening, believing Australia would be forced to book economy class seats on commercial flights, only to be hoist by their own petard when FFA struck a deal with Qantas.

After Australia missed out on an automatic spot at the World Cup earlier this month, FFA CEO David Gallop promised extra support for the playoffs with Syria and then against the fifth-placed Central and North American side in November.

“We’ll do what we can off the pitch to make sure they’re in the best possible position to be celebrating at home on November 14,” Gallop said.