MCG To Host Farewell Game

[diegom]

The Socceroos will farewell their Australian fans ahead of next year's World Cup with a match at the MCG, much like they did when they played Greece ahead of the 2006 World Cup.
Victorian premier John Brumby announced the fixture, against a yet to be determined team, along with FFA CEO Ben Buckley in Melbourne on the day after Australia completed its 2010 World Cup qualification campaign with a 2-1 win over Japan at the MCG.

"Like the Australia v Greece game at the MCG in 2006, where a crowd of over 95,000 farewelled the Qantas Socceroos before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Melburnians and visitors will be keen to get behind the Australian team in 2010 and show our support for the Qantas Socceroos FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa," Premier Brumby said.

"Melbourne not only holds the title of 'World's Ultimate Sports City', we're the unofficial home of football in Australia," said Brumby.

The match is the first of a three-game agreement between FFA and the Victorian government which guarantees Melbourne Socceroos matches in 2010, 2012 and 2013. The other two matches are likely to be World Cup qualification matches for the 2014 tournament.

"Australia's success in the 2006 FIFA World Cup showed that we are a credible and competitive football nation," Buckley said.

"We thank the Victorian Government for their support, and we look forward to playing more exciting international encounters in Melbourne over the next four years."

The Victorian Government has also committed to the growth of grassroots football through support for a Community Football Development program.

"Playing in the FIFA World Cup is an ambition shared by the entire nation and we're looking forward to a full house and vocal support from people all over Victoria to help the players on the journey to South Africa," Buckley said.

Melbourne will also host the 2010 Australian Football Awards.