FFA outlay $1m for charter flight to Uzbekistan
Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:33 pm
Australia have earmarked more than A$10 million to help the team qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and Asian Cup 2011.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) spent A$1 million to charter a flight from Europe to Uzbekistan for their FIFA World Cup Group A opener in Tashkent, where the Aussies won 1-0.
The Canberra Times quoted FFA chief executive Ben Buckley as saying that the Aussies must spend to keep up with other nations also vying for top billing in Asia.
“You have to provide the right level of support. This is an ultra-, ultra-competitive environment we live in,” Buckley was quoted as saying.
“Teams like Japan, Korea, the west Asian teams, they all invest huge amounts in their teams, and that's the environment we live in.
“They don't scrimp, and we can't afford to, particularly with the logistics of moving players from one end of the world to the other. It's a substantial investment we're making, but it's worth it. In fact, not only do we need to match what the other teams are doing, we have to try and do things even better.”
He said a commercial flight from Europe, where most of the Australian players are based, to Tashkent would involve a two-day trip.
With a chartered plane, the squad were able to make the journey in around seven hours, allowing good time for preparation
Football Federation Australia (FFA) spent A$1 million to charter a flight from Europe to Uzbekistan for their FIFA World Cup Group A opener in Tashkent, where the Aussies won 1-0.
The Canberra Times quoted FFA chief executive Ben Buckley as saying that the Aussies must spend to keep up with other nations also vying for top billing in Asia.
“You have to provide the right level of support. This is an ultra-, ultra-competitive environment we live in,” Buckley was quoted as saying.
“Teams like Japan, Korea, the west Asian teams, they all invest huge amounts in their teams, and that's the environment we live in.
“They don't scrimp, and we can't afford to, particularly with the logistics of moving players from one end of the world to the other. It's a substantial investment we're making, but it's worth it. In fact, not only do we need to match what the other teams are doing, we have to try and do things even better.”
He said a commercial flight from Europe, where most of the Australian players are based, to Tashkent would involve a two-day trip.
With a chartered plane, the squad were able to make the journey in around seven hours, allowing good time for preparation
all worth it if we qualify