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Socceroos to face Korea Republic in Brisbane

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Football Federation Australia (FFA), the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council today announced that the Caltex Socceroos will host Korea Republic in an international friendly match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, 17 November 2018.

FFA CEO David Gallop was proud to announce that the Caltex Socceroos would return to Brisbane later this year.

“It is fantastic that the first match that the Caltex Socceroos play on home soil and under new Head Coach Graham Arnold is against Korea Republic in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium,” said Gallop.

“The last time these two teams met in the Final of the AFC Asian Cup in 2015 was a spectacular event that will long live in the memory of all who watched it.”

Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold was in Brisbane for today’s announcement. Arnold, who represented Australia 56 times as a player, said he’s delighted that local fans will get to see the Caltex Socceroos  in action as they prepare for the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

“To have the opportunity to play a team of the calibre of Korea Republic at home six weeks before the start of the AFC Asian Cup is perfect for our preparations,” said Arnold.

“When we play Korea Republic in Queensland it will have been just over a year since the Caltex Socceroos last played on home soil. It’s important that we bring as many high-quality matches to Australia as possible so that Australians have the opportunity to watch our top players together.

Socceroos

“Australia has a long football history with Korea Republic, so hopefully we’ll see the sold-out sign go up at Suncorp Stadium for this match,” concluded Arnold.

This will be the 29th time the two nations have met since their first meeting in 1967. The last time these two nations faced each other was at the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Final in Sydney which the Caltex Socceroos won in dramatic circumstances.

They last met in Brisbane earlier in the group stage of the same tournament when Korea Republic won 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium.

Roar captain & 59-time Caltex Socceroo Matt McKay says it’s exciting for the Socceroos to return to one of the country’s finest stadiums for the first time since 2015.

“It’s great, a good fixture and I’m sure there’ll be great interest in supporting the pinnacle of Australian football,” McKay said.

“They are a strong football nation, and with the AFC Asian Cup just around the corner, it means a lot to play a nation like them.

“They’re always up for the battle against us.

“They have so many great players, both based in Korea and overseas, that whatever team they put out it will be very strong.”

Matt McKay

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the friendly game at Suncorp Stadium would attract fans from around the country and inject $5.8 million into the Queensland economy.

“Securing an international football match of this calibre in Brisbane is a coup for Queensland,” Ms Jones said.

“It will also give Socceroo fans the chance to enjoy a piece of live world-class football action in their own backyard.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the city looks forward to hosting a blockbuster friendly between the two of the best-ranked nations in the Asian Football Confederation.

“We love our sport in Brisbane, and we are proud to have the chance to welcome home the Socceroos for their first match on home soil after this year’s World Cup,” Cr Quirk said.

Following last week’s release of the latest FIFA rankings, the Caltex Socceroos are currently 43rd with Korea Republic 57th.

Tickets for this match will go on-sale from www.socceroos.com.au/tickets  to the Football Family members from 3pm (AEST) today (Tuesday, 21 August 2018) and to the general public from 9am Monday, 27 August 2018.

The match will be broadcast live throughout Australia by FOX SPORTS and Network TEN. 

Caltex Socceroos v Korea Republic (International Friendly)
Saturday, 17 November 2018
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
Kick-off: To be confirmed
Tickets: www.socceroos.com.au/tickets
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS and Network TEN

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