FFA CEO Ben Buckley has rubbished claims that ticket prices for the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier against Qatar next month at Suncorp Stadium are too high.
To see today's announcement...
Buckley came under fire about the cost of entry to the October 15 match at a press conference in Brisbane, but maintained that prices were reasonable and on par with other sports codes.
"I think it's consistent with other pricing at other major sporting events," Buckley said.
"The other point I'd make is that this is the final qualification stage for the 2010 World Cup, arguably some of the most important matches that have ever happened in this country for football.
"It is a major event and is priced accordingly. But more importantly, we believe there are tickets available for all people and all levels of income."
Buckley was happy with ticket sales to date and confident the Socceroos would play in front of 'close to a full house'.
"We're not worried," he said. "This is a very special match, the Socceroos play only once so often, so I would encourage all football fans and all sports fans to come out and support them."
Buckley urged supporters to turn out in droves for the match, stating a lively crowd was a key part of home ground advantage.
He added: "I think we can't underestimate the importance of this match. Every game we play in this qualification phase is almost like a grand final and we need the fans to come out and support their team.
"That makes a big difference to the players on the pitch, it makes a big difference to the opposition. As we found when we played in Uzbekistan, the crowd is certainly a factor.
"Whilst it's a great opportunity for people to see the Socceroos in action, we need to create that sort of atmosphere to give our team an advantage."
Buckley said the Socceroos had no definite schedule for the weeks before the Qatar game, but believed a friendly match was still a possibility.
"We're still working on our plans for that lead up period to the October 15 match," he said. "So we haven't confirmed a game at this stage.
"It's probably really a matter of what level of opposition is available, what the team make up is and how many players need to play a match before the October 15 match."
To see today's announcement...
Buckley came under fire about the cost of entry to the October 15 match at a press conference in Brisbane, but maintained that prices were reasonable and on par with other sports codes.
"I think it's consistent with other pricing at other major sporting events," Buckley said.
"The other point I'd make is that this is the final qualification stage for the 2010 World Cup, arguably some of the most important matches that have ever happened in this country for football.
"It is a major event and is priced accordingly. But more importantly, we believe there are tickets available for all people and all levels of income."
Buckley was happy with ticket sales to date and confident the Socceroos would play in front of 'close to a full house'.
"We're not worried," he said. "This is a very special match, the Socceroos play only once so often, so I would encourage all football fans and all sports fans to come out and support them."
Buckley urged supporters to turn out in droves for the match, stating a lively crowd was a key part of home ground advantage.
He added: "I think we can't underestimate the importance of this match. Every game we play in this qualification phase is almost like a grand final and we need the fans to come out and support their team.
"That makes a big difference to the players on the pitch, it makes a big difference to the opposition. As we found when we played in Uzbekistan, the crowd is certainly a factor.
"Whilst it's a great opportunity for people to see the Socceroos in action, we need to create that sort of atmosphere to give our team an advantage."
Buckley said the Socceroos had no definite schedule for the weeks before the Qatar game, but believed a friendly match was still a possibility.
"We're still working on our plans for that lead up period to the October 15 match," he said. "So we haven't confirmed a game at this stage.
"It's probably really a matter of what level of opposition is available, what the team make up is and how many players need to play a match before the October 15 match."
To see today's announcement...
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