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Ahead of Wednesday night’s historic first competitive A-League match in Tasmania between Bleiberg’s men and Melbourne Victory, the United coach made a passionate plea for Tasmania to use this game as an opportunity to super-charge plans to join the biggest sport in the world.

“Although Tasmania is probably more AFL oriented,” he told Tasmania’s Sunday Examiner, which ran the story on the front and back page. “The fact is that you have been rejected by the AFL. But remember, the world game is 10,000 times bigger than the AFL.

“So maybe it is a chance for Tasmania to put itself on the map by taking part in the world game.”

Certainly FFA will be keen to see what sort of crowd greets Victory and United when they face off at Launceston’s Aurora Stadium on Wednesday night.

A crowd of more than 8,000 could be considered a success, and strengthen the island’s hand in future years as Tasmania United's taskforce continues to make representations since coming together four years ago.

FFA Chairman Frank Lowy has made it clear expansion is off the agenda for the next four or so years of this current strategic plan, but after that, it might be on the cards.

The Launceston pitch, which au.fourfourtwo.com had a look at on Sunday, is in very good shape and with a rectangular orientation planned, it should make for a real football atmosphere on Wednesday night.

Victory’s diligent work over recent years in making the trip to play friendlies – together with the Kewell factor – means hopes are high for a bumper crowd in a season of bumper attendances across the A-League.

"Melbourne will have Harry Kewell, probably the biggest sportsperson to ever set foot on Aurora Stadium,” Charles Gregory, a Tasmania United fan liaison and social media administrator, told The Mercury.

"This will be the first match televised live across Australia from Aurora, so I think it is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate our support.

"I think a large crowd, over 10,000, will certainly remind the FFA to keep an eye on us.”

By late last week 4000 tickets had been pre-sold for a game Victory will be desperate to win after their 2-2 draw with rivals Sydney FC on Australia Day.

Bleiberg, ever the promoter, added: “Even coming to watch Harry Kewell is worth buying a ticket.”

au.fourfourtwo.com is in Tasmania for this historic A-League clash and will keep you updated in the lead up to the game at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Follow me on Twitter @Aidothejourno

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