Photo: Australia’s Tim Cahill scores a goal from an overhead kick during their Asian Cup quarter-final soccer match against China at Brisbane Stadium last night. (Reuters: Edgar Su)
Newcastle Socceroos legend Ray Baartz says he is ecstatic the city will be hosting Australia in next Tuesday’s Asian cup semi-final.
The Socceroos arrive in Newcastle today and will train in the city tonight after making it through to the final four of the Asian Cup with a two-nil win over China in Brisbane last night.
Australia and China were locked at nil-all at half-time, but forward Tim Cahill brought the crowd to its feet when he found the back of the net off a bicycle kick in the 48th minute.
He then headed home a Jason Davidson cross to score his second.
Ray Baartz was a striker for the Socceroos in the 1960s and 70s, scoring 18 goals for the national team.
He said the city will be in for a treat if Japan makes it through to play Australia in Tuesday’s semi.
“And we’re presuming Japan are going to get through,” he said.
“They’ve got to play their game tonight, but the games I had against Japan were exciting and tough, and I don’t see this game being any different.
“Both teams are quality teams, Australia’s playing exceptionally well, it’s going to be a game that’s going to be mouth-watering, to coin a phrase.”
And there will be one last opportunity tomorrow for fans to purchase tickets to the game.
AFC organisers released an extra 2,000 tickets yesterday, which have already sold out, and a small number are also set to be released tomorrow.
But Hunter Stadium’s full capacity of more than 30,000 will not be reached, with organisers ruling out putting in extra seating in the stadium’s grassed areas.
Baartz said despite criticism of the size of the local stadium, he is certain the city will do the game proud.
“Football in Newcastle has such a strong heritage, and goes back well over 100 years, and some of the oldest clubs in Australia were formed in the Newcastle area,” he said.
“I think the atmosphere and support the Socceroos will get in Newcastle will be second to none.”
source: abc.net.au
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 