Official release from Asian Cup Local Organising Committee
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee (LOC) today unveiled the match schedule and host venues for the 2015 competition.
The competition will kick off in Melbourne on January 9, 2015 with an opening ceremony and Socceroos match at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and will culminate in the Final at Sydney's Stadium Australia on January 31, 2015.
The other three competition venues are Brisbane Stadium at Milton, Canberra Stadium in the ACT and Newcastle Stadium in NSW.
LOC Chief Executive Officer Michael Brown said today's announcements marked a significant milestone in the planning of AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
"The Asian Cup in Australia will be a three week, 32 match festival of football culminating in the Final at Stadium Australia on January 31," Mr Brown said.
"We are pleased to have now locked in five top class venues for the competition and finalised the match schedule.
"This will allow the detailed planning for the event to progress on schedule to ensure Asian Cup Australia 2015 is a world-class event and maintains Australia's international reputation as a great host for the world's best sporting contests."
Mr Brown said the Socceroos qualifying games would be played in Melbourne on January 9, 2015; Sydney on January 13, 2015; and Brisbane on January 17, 2015.
"The four Quarter Finals will be played on January 22 and 23, 2015 and we are very excited that on Australia Day 2015 the first Semi Final will be played at Stadium Australia.
"The second Semi Final will be played in Newcastle on January 27, 2015 and the city will also host the 3rd v 4th play-off on January 30, 2015."
AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 is being jointly-funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland, NSW, ACT and Victorian Governments.
