Sign up now to see the Socceroos play here
By VAL MIGLACCIO
30nov05
ADELAIDE is battling Perth to host the Socceroos in one of only two matches they will play in Australia before next year's World Cup finals in Germany.
The Advertiser wants your vote of confidence to lure Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, coach "Aussie" Guus Hiddink and South Australians John Aloisi and Tony Vidmar to Adelaide in March.
The Socceroos will play a preliminary round of the 2007 Asian Cup on Wednesday, March 1 in Australia.
Hindmarsh Stadium is in competition with Perth's Members Equity Stadium to stage the match.
Hosting the Socceroos will cost the State Government about $1.5 million.
"Hindmarsh is the best football stadium in Australia," Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold said yesterday. "It has a great surface, the crowd is close to the action and the facilities are first class.
"The only negative was that last year when we were there the crowds were disappointing. I think the boys deserve a lot more than that if we come next year."
The Socceroos' only other match in Australia before the finals is likely to be against 2004 European champion Greece at Sydney's Telstra Stadium in May.
The Advertiser is compiling a petition for fans wanting the Asian Cup qualifier game here. That will be sent to the Football Federation of Australia. To be added to it, send an email to mailto:sport@adv.newsltd.com.au with your full name and suburb and "I want the Socceroos in Adelaide" in the subject line.
Office for Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright said he was working towards an Adelaide Socceroos' appearance.
"I've already written to the FFA's John O'Neill promoting South Australia as the ideal place to host an international game involving the Socceroos," he said.