Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Brisbane: The kick-off time for eagerly-anticipated 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier between the 2011 AFC Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia in Brisbane on June 12 has been confirmed for 800pm local time.
Announcing the decision, which was made following consultation with FIFA, the AFC and the World Sport Group, Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO Ben Buckley said that the amendment of the previous kick off time of 7.30pm has been made to accommodate a potential viewing audience of around half a billion people across Asia.
"This World Cup qualifier between the two top nations in Asia is already attracting huge interest around the region with two months to go to the game," said Buckley.
"The vagaries of time zones mean that an 8pm (AEST) kick off time better accommodates the massive TV audience in Japan in particular and makes the telecast more accessible to fans across Asia.
"Australia is part of a worldwide football family and it's great to know that so many eyes will be on the Qantas Socceroos and Brisbane on June 12."
Australia and Japan last met in the final of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup (pictured) and that match, which ended with the Japanese winning 1-0 to claim continental honours for a record fourth time, garnered a viewing audience of 484 million in 80 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America and North Africa.