Australia Invites Indonesian Fans To AFC Asian Cup 2015

Jakarta, Sept 18 (Antara) - Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty and AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Michael Brown has invited Indonesian fans to the Asian Cup in January 2015, the Australian Embassy here said. "Football is helping to strengthen cultural, social and economic ties between Indonesia and Australia," Ambassador Moriarty was quoted as saying by the embassy on its official website on Wednesday. He said that the Australian A-League Club, Central Coast Mariners is playing in Indonesia for the Menpora Cup in September 2013. "And then Australia will host the Asian Cup in January 2015, which we hope Indonesia qualifies for," the ambassador said. Indonesia is in Group C of qualifying for AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 alongside Saudi Arabia, China and Iraq. The `Merah Putih` plays China in the next qualification match in Jakarta on October 15. Brown said the AFC Asian Cup, to be staged in Australia for the first time in 2015, would be a festival of football showcasing Asia`s best footballers. "In 2007 when Indonesia hosted the Asian Cup the stands of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium were full, including with many Australian fans who traveled for the event," Brown said. "We hope to see many Indonesians travel to Australia in 2015 to support Indonesia if they qualify and to watch some of the world's best footballers." Matches in AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 will be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle. The tournament is the pinnacle for the 46 nations of the AFC who represent half the world`s population and some of the most passionate football fans anywhere.