Wade calls on Canberra support

For the first time in more than a decade the Socceroos are set to play an important international match in the nation's capital, making it the perfect opportunity for the people of Canberra to show their support for the round ball game.

For the first time in more than a decade the Socceroos are set to play an important international match in the nation's capital, making it the perfect opportunity for the people of Canberra to show their support for the round ball game.

The Socceroos will meet Kuwait in their first home match of the AFC 2011 Asian Cup qualification stage, presented by FOXTEL, at Canberra Stadium on Thursday 5 March.

Now it is in the hands of the Canberra community to demonstrate their interest in football - and the most practical way to do this is to come along to the match on 5 March, according to former Qantas Socceroo captain and Canberra Cosmos player, Paul Wade.

“If ever there was an opportunity to justify a Canberra team in the Hyundai A-League now is the chance, when the whole country is watching,” said Wade.

The last time the Socceroos played an international in Canberra was an Oceania Cup match on 1 November 1996 against Tahiti. This match also marked the final appearance in the green and gold for Wade.

The crowd at that game was 9,421, with the most number of fans ever to fill a stadium to see the Socceroos being in 1980 when they met the then Czechoslovakia with 15,000 in attendance.

"For a city of more than 320,000 people, this record should be easily broken," said Wade.

"It was almost 30 years ago, which shows that there was a good level of interest in football in Canberra back then. I see no reason why there wouldn't be more now and this is the perfect opportunity to show that Canberra is serious about football and to break this record."

Wade said that Socceroos Head Coach, Pim Verbeek, is tipped to name a largely Hyundai A-League based side for the match next week.

"Led by Craig Moore, who is a first choice player for Verbeek and one of Australia's outstanding players of the past decade, this will nonetheless be a very good side.

"The Hyundai A-League is growing in reputation and improving every season, as evidenced by Adelaide's achievements in reaching the Asian Champions League Final.

"I expect a very good and competitive match," said Wade.

This is only the second time Australia has participated in the AFC Asian Cup after joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.

Indonesia, Kuwait, Oman and Australia have been drawn in Group B. The top two teams from each group of the qualification stage will progress to the AFC Asian Cup 2011 which will be held in Qatar.

Tickets on sale now - visit www.ticketek.com.au, any Ticketek agency or call 132 894.

All Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS.