Destiny 06 – 25 Days To Go
We continue the countdown to the World Cup (South American) play-off kick-off (as of the time of writing) of the 1st Leg being played in Montevideo (Saturday 12 November), bringing you up-to-date with all the headline news from around the country surrounding the crucial play-off matches.
We continue the countdown to the World Cup (South American) play-off kick-off (as of the time of writing) of the 1st Leg being played in Montevideo (Saturday 12 November), bringing you up-to-date with all the headline news from around the country surrounding the crucial play-off matches.
PUBLIC TICKETS ALL SOLD OUT
Australian sports fans have come out in force to ensure that the match against Uruguay at Telstra Stadium, is almost guaranteed to be a sell out, with all tickets that went on sale to the general public today, sold, which means the game is fully subscribed.
Just under 20,000 tickets were on offer today and they were quickly snapped up by both Australian and Uruguayan supporters.
FFA Chief Executive John O-Neill said that only possible release backs and some site restricted tickets that will become available a few weeks before the game, are left to be sold.
“It-s a fantastic result,” said Mr O-Neill. “It-s fully subscribed and a packed house at Telstra Stadium supporting the Socceroos, for what will be a date with destiny.”
Socceroos WATCH
A number of Socceroos were in action overnight, the most notable being captain Craig Moore (pictured above) in a reserves team game for Newcastle United. Moore was replaced at half time after receiving a knock in the dying minutes of the first half (see further information below). Also featuring in the match was his Australian team mate Stan Lazaridis, who played half a game for Birmingham City.
Ljubo Milicevic in the Champions League clash with Ajax Amsterdam. Milicevic played a full game for FC Thun in the 2-0 away defeat to the Dutch giants.
Luke Wilkshire played a full game for Bristol City as they lost a LDV Vans Trophy mach against Barnet 3-2.
Central defender Tony Popovic return from injury was delayed another week and did not feature for Crystal Palace in a League Championship match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Meanwhile Harry Kewell is set to take part in his first match with Liverpool, since last May-s Champions League final, when they play Belgian side Anderlecht in a round one Champions League match. Kewell is in the squad and may see game time off the bench.
Also involved in Champions League action tonight is Zeljko Kalac, although unfortunately for him he is likely to be on the bench for the match, which sees AC Milan at home against PSV Eindhoven, whose coach just happens to be Guus Hiddink. Jason Culina is ineligible to play for PSV, as he wasn-t signed in time for the cut off for the first round of matches.
Lastly, striker John Aloisi will be hoping for game time tonight when Deportivo Alaves play Eibar in a Spanish Cup match.
WHAT-S MAKING THE NEWS
LETS PLAY FAIR
FFA Chief Executive John O-Neill has said the dirty-tricks that occurred four years ago when the Socceroos arrived in Montevideo will not be tolerated this time round.
While the FFA is doing everything within its powers to make sure the events of four years ago upon arrival at Montevideo airport and their hotel are not revisited when Australia arrives for the first leg of the World Cup qualifying play-off, O-Neill has called on FIFA to make sure that fair play is observed and importantly the most experienced referee available, preferably one from Europe, controls the match.
MOORE INJURED
National Coach Guus Hiddink has a nervous wait ahead in the next few days, after incumbent skipper Craig Moore was injured in a Newcastle United reserves match last night. Playing in his first game for Newcastle since injuring his hamstring at the start of the season, Moore was replaced at half time with the Newcastle website saying that Moore had received a knock just prior to half time. The FFA is yet to receive any confirmation of what exactly is the nature of the injury to Craig.
REQUEST BEING CONSIDERED
John O-Neill has confirmed that the FFA is considering a request from Uruguay to FIFA, to bring the game forward in Uruguay by a day.
Mr O-Neill also pointed out that contrary to reports that FIFA had agreed to Uruguay-s request, FIFA indeed would only agree, if the FFA agreed to the request.
“Our coach Guus Hiddink is in Italy at the moment and we are in dialogue with him tonight and following that dialogue we will make a decision tomorrow,” said Mr O-Neill.
“At the end of the day, the coach and the FFA will come to a decision that in the best interests of the team,” he added.