Sydney to host Uzbekistan and Bahrain qualifiers

Australia will play two critical matches in round 4 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Sydney. Australia will meet Uzbekistan on 1 April 2009 and Bahrain on 10 June 2009 in two of their four home qualifying matches in round 4.

Australia will play two critical matches in round 4 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Sydney.

Australia will meet Uzbekistan on 1 April 2009 and Bahrain on 10 June 2009 in two of their four home qualifying matches in round 4.

“Round 4 is well and truly the business end of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and these two home matches are vital to our chances,” said Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley.

“Everyone remembers how good it felt to be part of the 2006 World Cup, and we all want to be there again in 2010.”

NSW Premier, Nathan Rees, said he was looking forward to having the Socceroos back in Sydney.

“It-s great to welcome the Socceroos back to their spiritual home, Sydney, for these two crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

“It will be the first time we have seen Uzbekistan in Australia and the Bahrain game could well be the decisive match in the Socceroos qualifying schedule. If the Socceroos end up in sudden death play-offs after this round is complete in June, like the unforgettable Uruguay qualifier in 2005, Sydney will also play host to those matches.”

Premier Rees urged football fans to get behind Australia for these two crucial qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“The NSW Government and Events NSW have forged a strong relationship with Football Federation Australia and I-m sure that the people of Sydney will once again head out in droves to support our Socceroos.”

Australia-s schedule for round 4 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers involves:

- 15 October 2008, Australia v Qatar, Brisbane - 19 November 2008, Bahrain v Australia - 11 February 2009, Japan v Australia - 1 April 2009, Australia v Uzbekistan, Sydney - 6 June 2009, Qatar v Australia - 10 June 2009, Australia v Bahrain, Sydney - 17 June 2009, Australia v Japan, Melbourne

The Socceroos won their first match in round 4 last month against Uzbekistan in Tashkent, and is currently equal second in the group behind next week-s opponent, Qatar.

Australia needs to finish in the top two of its group to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the end of this round.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of October with FFA set to announce details later.