Police ask fans for respect

* Mary Papadakis
* From: Herald Sun
* June 19, 2010 4:06PM

POLICE have warned soccer fans to be on their best behaviour for Australia's clash with Ghana tonight.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said police would be out in force to ensure crowds were well behaved.

"This is about people coming out and having a good time and supporting the Socceroos, but in doing so making sure they respect those around them," he said.

Mr Crisp warned thousands of soccer fans expected to attend Birrarung Marr for the game at midnight they faced fines and being arrested if found intoxicated or in possession of alcohol or flares.

He said fans would be fined $100 if in possession of open containers of alcohol and $234 if found to be drunk and disorderly, with a stint in the cells also likely.

Mr Crisp said he was confident in the ability of police to handle crowds.

"We have significant numbers to deal with any situation that may arise," he said.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/police-ask-fans-for-respect/story-e6frf7kx-1225881700260

Soccer fans await Australia's destiny

MARIS BECK
June 19, 2010 - 10:56PM

The Socceroos look to bounce back from their opening loss to Germany in the World Cup, and are set to play Ghana in a must-win clash.

Soccer fans are gathering around the city for Australia's make-or-break match against Ghana, which kicks off at midnight.

A win would have crowds delirious with celebration, but another loss - after last week's bitter 4-0 defeat to Germany - would mean the end of the Socceroo's World Cup campaign.

At Birrarung Mar, where 18,000 are expected to watch the match, the name on everyone's lips is Harry Kewell.

The striker, who has been plagued by a groin injury, will carry the weight of Australia's hopes with him when he runs onto the pitch tonight. He replaces star forward Tim Cahill, who misses the match after he was sent off with a red card in last week's clash.

Melbourne Victory player Leigh Broxham is DJ-ing on the banks of the Yarra, his music punctuated by vuvuzelas.

Mark Woods is sitting on the hill in front of the big screen, practicing his flag-waving. He said Kewell "better play well."

"If we win this game, I'll just party all night," he said.

Brad Wood has not been getting much sleep. He has watched every World Cup game so far.

"I expect it to be a very tough game," he said.

"I think they're going to go out there a hell of a lot better than they did against Germany. I think we've got a good chance."

Six-year-old Audrey Diaz and her sister Giselle, 3, have an exemption from their 7.30pm bedtime to watch the game. They napped all day in preparation, and tip Australia to win by seven.

Leoul Zeleqe, originally from Congo, respectfully disagrees. He is going for Ghana and predicts a 4-0 loss for the Socceroos.

At the Melbourne home of the green and gold army, the Celtic Club on Queen Street, Haydn Fletcher hopes Kewell goes on "sooner rather than later."

Source: theage.com.au

http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/soccer-fans-await-australias-destiny-20100619-yo64.html

At Birrarung Mar, where 18,000 are expected to watch the match, the name on everyone's lips is Harry Kewell.

Where??? :?

It's fucking called Darling Harbour. Barangaroo or whatever stupid name they've named the former wharf area is nowhere near there.

isn't that melbourne? I'm pretty sure after they said fed square wasn't suitable, this was the next best thing.