Capacity reduced by 10,000 because it's seats only, no standing room or hills allowed.

Such a bullshit rule [-(

30,000-40,000 for South Korea vs Iraq? I highly doubt that, but it would be great to see. If Iran had made it, I'd say you would get that figure.

A more realistic figure would be 20,000 at most unless many people on Australia Day feel the need to head down and watch the teams play.

The Final won't sell out unless Australia make it I'd say. My ticket was PAX 40,000 or so this week and now it's at 45,000. Maybe 60,000 max if Australia don't make it.

Reason I think 30,000-40,000, is because I expect South Korea to draw a similiar crowd to Japan did against UAE, except UAE don't have any fans here. Meanwhile the Iraqi expats will come by the several of thousands, and it's a Semi Final on Australia day so I think more neutrals will turn up.

Maybe I'm being optimistic.

Edited by axelv: 27/1/2015 12:24:55 AM

Personally I as hoping for bigger crowds, with this being our first hosting rights for the Asian Cup since joining the federation. Some member countries were against Australia joining from memory, what better way of showing that we as a football loving nation deserve to be part of the AFC and would support a tournament regardless of the nations playing.

The atmosphere at all the Sydney games I've gone to has been unique to the countries that were playing. Iran was the standout, and yes in some ways better than the roos game for the constant noise...amazing.

Yeah, that's the biggest issue in terms of how the general public support non-Australian teams. I've been to all matches that doesn't involve Australia, including last night's game with Japan v UAE.

I went to the Iran v Qatar match in Sydney and can definitely say that they bring the atmosphere up another notch, instead of the quiet tennis match being played at Suncorp and ANZ with the Socceroos. I don't know why there isn't a bay or two of Socceroos supporters that keep the noise going throughout the game as they do at Wanderers games etc. I believe the FFA have something sanctioned against that however, or had done so previously due to issues prior?

They really need to change that to ensure people turn up for the atmosphere alone - which is why the Sydney derby and Melbourne derby attract big interest for tickets now.

Sydney is just a fickle city for all sports, it's honestly best served by being in Melbourne for all major sporting events. Lets see how the Semi-final crowd numbers end up. I'm guessing 20-25k max, but if 40,000 turn up, I'd be very surprised and happy to see that.

Understand that but it's stupid that the AFC website lists the higher number when those tickets can't be sold...

It is funny that we're complaining about having the best QF crowds at an Asian Cup since 2004.

I wouldn't expect anything less

Alot of sooks on this thread.

I really don't see what the problem is with 19,000 turning up to watch a very poor Japan side vs an average at best UAE. I was thinking about going to watch but decided to spend the day at the beach instead.

The crowds have been good all round in my opinion and from what I have observed , alot of the people making up the crowds at Canberra and Newcastle have been travelling Sydneysiders.

The final will 100% be a sell out if australia make it. Cat 3 is already sold out.

I think the crowds at this Asian Cup have been amazing. They've been well above my expectations.

From what I've seen in the previous Asian Cups (07 and 11), the host nation/s get sell outs, meanwhile every other game is a sea of empty seats with maybe 10-20 traveling fans and zero atmosphere.

I expected most of our games to be less than 5000, especially with the types of teams playing that are not highly regarded as footballing nations and have little to no expats in Australia. But instead, we've had the Australia public, turn up as neutrals by the 10,000's. It's been pretty spectacular to see the stadiums have these multi cultural atmospheres, stadiums filling up and even having sell outs in matches that don't involve Australia.

It's been pretty incredible, even the lowest draw cards have had good crowds.

The stats speak for itself. http://www.austadiums.com/sport/comp_results.php?sid=32

The tournament has been an amazing success that's surpassed the expectations of the organisers. Having crowds and atmospheres in the stadiums makes for better TV viewing across the continent. Can you think of anything that looks less important than seeing a stadium 90% empty and having only 5,000 turn up to watch your nation play in the Asia Cup Quarter Finals?

My only criticism would be that this would probably be the most successful tournament ever hosted to be invisible to the nation hosting it. Outside of those attending the games and those that are in the sphere of Fox Sports, this tournament has been invisible to the majority of Australians wishing to follow it.

2 hours delay on our national team is disgrace, it cannot be anymore than 30-60 mins

Edited by axelv: 25/1/2015 05:11:59 PM

That my friend is why I'm one of the sooks, ffs I don't see you on the pitch playing international football in our confederations tournament. I'd like to see you defend against a very poor Kagawa, Honda and Endo running at you at full pace :oops:

Are you pissed off that I don't play International football against Japan? :lol:

not at all just your arrogance

btw how many games have you gone to besides going to the beach

In fairness our beaches are awesome.

Our beaches are awesome as is the beach whether.

I have been to four so far (games, not beaches). Three in Sydney and one in Canberra. I have tickets to the Korea Rep v Iraq game and to tickets to the final. I might have gone to more but it's a 4 hour round trip from the Northern Beaches to Olympic Park by public transport and when Japan are playing like rubbish and their opponent is the UAE, I'm going to the beach \:d/ .

Edited by vanlassen: 26/1/2015 01:12:31 AM

The problem is not the size of the Sydney crowd but the fact that people criticised Newcastle's right to host a semi-final because you poor whingers in Sydney didn't get the Socceroos at your venue.

Japan versus a very poor Palestine in a Group match in Newcastle - 17,000
Japan versus UAE in a Quarter Final in Sydney - 19,000

This is why claims of Sydney siders to have a divine right to host any football match they want is illegitimate.

In other words, get over yourselves.



Edited by ecce: 26/1/2015 10:23:28 AM

=d>

If the crowd is bigger than 5k tonight I'll be suprised

Yes, because the streets have been filled with people demanding the game be move. Back in reality, I don't know anyone IRL who gives a shit that the game is in Newcastle.

Looks a tad over

Amazing.

A lot of Koreans in Sydney, I take it. And I imagine just about every Iraqi living on the eastern seaboard is there too.

Crowd tonight was 36, 053.

nice a lot better than i expected and the weather was shit too.

I'm suprised. Hugely suprised. Stunning effort. Out doing the cricket team on Aust Day.

Just got on the train.

I said around 40k. Bit less than I was expecting. But the chilly conditions and rain will have put a good 5k neutrals off. Combined with the Australia day plans a lot of people had, including the Triple J hipsters. Was a good crowd nevertheless. Korean fa s make a lot of noise and get excited over nothing.

Solid turnout. Much more than 5k :)