Australia’s burgeoning international football schedule at both club and national team level has resulted in changes to Hyundai A-League fixtures.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced earlier in the month that two Hyundai A-League fixtures would be changed to allow for Adelaide United’s participation in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup to be held in Japan from 11-21 December.
The FIFA Club World Cup comprises champion teams from each FIFA region.
Adelaide has won the right to participate in the prestigious club tournament regardless of the outcome of the Final of their forthcoming AFC Champions League match-up against Gamba Osaka. As tournament host, a team from Japan is already in the FIFA Club World Cup and is not eligible to field a second team even if crowned Asian champions.
The re-scheduled Hyundai A-League matches are:
Round 15: Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United moved from Friday 12 December to Tuesday 6 January 2009, Telstra Dome, 7.30pm local (7.30pm AEDT)
Round 16: Adelaide United v Queensland Roar moved from Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 14 January 2009, Hindmarsh Stadium, 7.30pm local (8.00pm AEDT, 7.00pm AEST)
Last week, FFA also announced a new date for the Round 11 match between Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide. The match has moved from 8 November to Saturday 15 November to give Adelaide every chance of success in preparing for the home leg of their AFC Champions League final on 12 November.
FFA has also moved the start of the Finals Series of the Hyundai A-League to allow for an AFC 2011 Asian Cup qualifying match between the Socceroos and Indonesia in Jakarta on 28 January 2009.
The Finals Series will now commence on the weekend of 6-8 February with the Hyundai A-League Awards to be held on Friday 30 January.
Three National Youth League matches have also been re-scheduled to accommodate Adelaide-s AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup commitments. The changes are:
Round 8 (NYL): Queensland Roar v Central Coast Mariners moved from Saturday 15 November to Wednesday 19 November, Ballymore, 4.00pm local (5.00pm AEDT)
Round 15 (NYL): Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United moved from Saturday 13 December to Wednesday 21 January, venue and kick-off time to be determined
Round 16 (NYL): Adelaide United v Queensland Roar moved from Saturday 20 December to Wednesday 14 January, Hindmarsh Stadium, 4.45pm local (5.15pm AEDT, 4.15pm AEST).
Revised draws are available on the Hyundai A-League website at www.a-league.com.au
