After eight years of triumph over England, the Socceroos have their sights set on another encounter with the motherland…this time at Wembley.
Plans are progressing for a friendly match between England and Australia in October, potentially bringing in as much as $1 million for Football Federation Australia.
Additionally, there is a chance for collaboration between the two organizations to set up a regular soccer “Test” match, following the surprising 3-1 victory of the Frank Farina-coached team against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England eight years ago at Upton Park.
However, the fixture can only be confirmed if the FFA persuades Asian soccer officials to reschedule a World Cup qualifier.
Formal agreements cannot be finalized until the UEFA World Cup qualification draw occurs in Rio on July 30, which will fill in the details of the Socceroos’ schedule for 2011 and 2012.
According to insiders from the English FA, they are inclined to schedule the match against Australia on October 11, banking on a lucrative turnout given the large Australian population in the UK.
While Australia awaits identification of their World Cup qualifying opponents until the draw, they are aware of the match dates, including the knowledge that the match on October 11 will occur at home.
FFA representatives are pushing for the Asian soccer authorities to permit the game to shift to October 7 or 8, enabling the Socceroos squad to head directly to London for their game against England on October 11.
Fabio Capello’s squad is slated to face Montenegro in Podgrica for their final qualifying match for Euro 2012 on October 7, with no subsequent fixtures planned for that week.
The potential match would provide significant advantages for the FFA, with expected match fees exceeding $500,000 subject to attendance figures.
Furthermore, the English FA would be obligated to cover Australia’s expenses, thus offsetting much of the costs incurred for bringing Holger Osieck’s team back for the World Cup qualifier.
FFA officials have long aimed to establish a formal agreement that would ensure regular “Ashes” clashes.
by Buford Balony
