Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: The AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Trophy Tour arrived in Tokyo on Friday on the latest stop on its trek around Asia in the run-up to the tournament finals, which kick off in Melbourne on January 9.
The event in the Japanese capital – which runs throughout the weekend – is the final stop on the tour before the trophy makes its way to Australia to begin a journey around the host nation ahead of the commencement of the finals.
Japan Football Association vice president Kohzo Tashima was on hand to welcome AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee Chief Operating Officer Mark Falvo to Tokyo on behalf of the reigning champions.
“Australia has a great shared history and rivalry with Japan and some of our best games have come against Japan,” said Falvo.
“In recent years, who could forget the match in 2006 in Kaiserslautern at the FIFA World Cup when Australia won against Japan, only to be followed in the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha when Japan turned the tables in extra time.
“But more important than our past is our shared future and the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 provides a great vehicle for that future.
“As the Local Organising Committee, we are working tirelessly to provide the best conditions for teams, officials, media and fans to ensure the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 is the best ever and we want to do the whole of Asia proud.
“The LOC and all Australians are eager to welcome the Samurai Blue supporters and your team to Australia in January. All football fans in Australia are excited about the prospect of an Asian Cup rematch in their own backyard.”
Japan and Australia have met twice at the AFC Asian Cup, with Japan emerging triumphant on both occasions so far. Ivica Osim’s side knocked the Socceroos out in a penalty shootout in the quarter-finals in 2007, only to lose out to Saudi Arabia in the next round as Iraq eventually claimed the title.
Japan won again in another tight contest four years ago in the final of the last edition of the AFC Asian Cup in the Qatari capital Doha, with Tadanari Lee scoring the winning goal in extra-time to secure a record fourth title for the Japanese, and Tashima stressed the Samurai Blue would be aiming to claim the title again under new coach Javier Aguirre.
“We hope to fight against Australia again in the final of the AFC Asian Cup, and we are also aiming to be champions again,” said Tashima. “We are getting ready for the tournament and we’re looking forward to playing in this competition again.
“Everybody is working towards this and they have been working hard, so we will be well organised. I’m hoping everybody will enjoy this tournament a lot.”