I'm an excited Aussie.
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 12:50 pmOfficials scramble for Man City visit
Michael Gleeson and Michael Lynch
November 16, 2011
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Sergio Aguero may all be seen in Melbourne in May. Photo: Reuters
ENGLISH Premier League giant Manchester City could play a game in Melbourne next May, with early discussions being held for the Etihad-sponsored club to play at the stadium that bears the airline's name.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley, Etihad Airways and Manchester City and Etihad Stadium management are negotiating the feasibility of the match with a decision expected in the next six weeks.
The choice of opponent is yet to be determined. The Socceroos have been floated as potential candidates, but the FFA will not pit the national team against a club side - even the richest one in the world. ''Playing exhibition games against club teams is not part of the mission for the Socceroos, no matter who that club may be,'' said FFA spokesman Kyle Patterson.
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That could, however, leave the door open for Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Heart or another A-League club to pitch for the game.
Manchester City, which won last year's FA Cup, is five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League and is second in its Champions League group.
Etihad Airways is believed to be extremely keen for the match to take place, while the FFA is eager for Manchester City to come out. The difficulty of finding a suitable date in the crowded soccer calendar may be the biggest obstacle.
A possible window after the FA Cup and the end of the Premier League in mid to late May and before the European championships is the period on which negotiations have centred.
Etihad Stadium chief executive Ian Collins said discussions were preliminary but the venue would be able to find a suitable date within its own schedule.
''At this point in time it's very early. We would like to think we could progress it but it is very early in the piece,'' Collins said. ''We would be available to host it. We can always fit that in. There is always a window of opportunity in the AFL draw and it does not have to be played at the weekend so we could play a soccer match midweek and soccer does not damage the turf.''
Given the mid-May finish to the English season and the early June kick-off of the European Championships, it would be unlikely that Manchester City could field a full-strength side.
The European Champions League final is due to be played on May 20 at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. The Premier League concludes on May 13 and the final of the FA Cup is May 5. The weeks after that and before the Euros and World Cup qualifiers in early June are the most likely options.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/o ... z1ds8bVZX4
Michael Gleeson and Michael Lynch
November 16, 2011
Manchester City's Mario Balotelli, David Silva and Sergio Aguero may all be seen in Melbourne in May. Photo: Reuters
ENGLISH Premier League giant Manchester City could play a game in Melbourne next May, with early discussions being held for the Etihad-sponsored club to play at the stadium that bears the airline's name.
Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley, Etihad Airways and Manchester City and Etihad Stadium management are negotiating the feasibility of the match with a decision expected in the next six weeks.
The choice of opponent is yet to be determined. The Socceroos have been floated as potential candidates, but the FFA will not pit the national team against a club side - even the richest one in the world. ''Playing exhibition games against club teams is not part of the mission for the Socceroos, no matter who that club may be,'' said FFA spokesman Kyle Patterson.
Advertisement: Story continues below
That could, however, leave the door open for Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Heart or another A-League club to pitch for the game.
Manchester City, which won last year's FA Cup, is five points clear of Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League and is second in its Champions League group.
Etihad Airways is believed to be extremely keen for the match to take place, while the FFA is eager for Manchester City to come out. The difficulty of finding a suitable date in the crowded soccer calendar may be the biggest obstacle.
A possible window after the FA Cup and the end of the Premier League in mid to late May and before the European championships is the period on which negotiations have centred.
Etihad Stadium chief executive Ian Collins said discussions were preliminary but the venue would be able to find a suitable date within its own schedule.
''At this point in time it's very early. We would like to think we could progress it but it is very early in the piece,'' Collins said. ''We would be available to host it. We can always fit that in. There is always a window of opportunity in the AFL draw and it does not have to be played at the weekend so we could play a soccer match midweek and soccer does not damage the turf.''
Given the mid-May finish to the English season and the early June kick-off of the European Championships, it would be unlikely that Manchester City could field a full-strength side.
The European Champions League final is due to be played on May 20 at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. The Premier League concludes on May 13 and the final of the FA Cup is May 5. The weeks after that and before the Euros and World Cup qualifiers in early June are the most likely options.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/o ... z1ds8bVZX4