Socceroos to play Iraq at Suncorp Stadium

Queensland’s sporting fans will get their chance to support the Socceroos campaign to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after today’s announcement that Suncorp Stadium will host the blockbuster match between Australia and Iraq on Sunday 1 June, which will be presented by FOXTEL.

SECOND EVER WORLD CUP QUALIFIER TO BE HELD IN BRISBANE

Queensland-s sporting fans will get their chance to support the Socceroos campaign to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup after today-s announcement that Suncorp Stadium will host the blockbuster match between Australia and Iraq on Sunday 1 June, which will be presented by FOXTEL.

Australia got off to a great start on their qualification journey by defeating Qatar 3-0 in the opening match in Melbourne in February and a 0-0 draw away to China last week.

While the Socceroos lead their group of four, it will be vital that the team continues to win at home giving the match against Iraq huge significance. Only the top two teams from the group progress to the next stage of qualification.

"The FFA is delighted that the Socceroos will play their next World Cup qualifying match in Brisbane," said CEO Ben Buckley.

"Australia has only played one previous World Cup qualifier in Brisbane and that was in 1992 so we expect their will be huge anticipation ahead of this match."

"When the team played in a friendly match at Suncorp Stadium in 2006 there were almost 50,000 fans in attendance and gave the team a terrific acknowledgment of their success at the World Cup.

"We look forward to the Queensland fans inspiring the team towards the 2010 World Cup."

Iraq are the Champions of Asian having won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, defeating Australia 3-1 in Bangkok en route to the championship.

Queensland Minister for Sport, Judy Spence, said this is sure to be big event for Queensland fans.

"This is a great opportunity for Queensland sports fans to witness a full strength Socceroos team attempting to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," she said.

"Football is one of Queensland-s most popular sports and football-s popularity will continue to grow in Queensland on the back of this match.

"The popularity of the Queensland Roar continues to grow with this season-s average crowd of 16,950 per match the second highest in the A-League.

"Suncorp Stadium is regarded as one of the best stadia around and I am sure Queenslanders will be out in force to support the Socceroos.

"This match will benefit the local economy through accommodation, hospitality, transport and other sectors. That's not to mention the fact Brisbane will be seen by millions of television viewers around the world," Ms Spence said.

The FFA also confirmed today that the Socceroos will prepare for the match against Iraq with an international against Ghana at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 23 May and the final World Cup qualifier for this phase against China will be held at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on Sunday 22 June.

All the Socceroos matches will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.

FOXTEL are the presenting partner of Australia's World Cup qualification journey.

Socceroos MATCH SCHEDULE

Australia v Ghana International Friendly Friday 23 May 2008 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Australia v Iraq 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Match Sunday 1 June 2008 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Iraq v Australia 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Match 7 June 2008 Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Qatar v Australia 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Match 14 June 2008 Doha, Qatar

Australia v China 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification Match Sunday 22 June 2008 ANZ Stadium, Sydney

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