Still scheduled to take on Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan FC in June, Gold Coast United chairman Clive Palmer is looking to book his side in for some innovative club versus country fixtures later this year.
Palmer, who has already spoken about offering the services of his private jets for United, said that he is in discussion with two national football bodies from the Asian Football Confederation about the planned games.
The billionaire was tight-lipped about just which Asian countries he is looking for Gold Coast to take on.
“We’re in talks at the moment with two national teams in Asia, we didn’t want to play club teams, we thought it might be too easy on the guys,” Palmer said.
“At the moment I can’t tell you who we’re talking to, but they’re two national Asian sides that are quite capable.”
Palmer was confident the ground-breaking matches would take place.
“I think it will come to fruition, I don’t think we will necessarily beat them, they are national teams representing their countries after all, but I’m sure the games will come to fruition.”
“But they are quite excited, the people we’re talking to in those countries about playing Gold Coast United.”
The matches would give United a major boost ahead of the pre-season for the 2009/10 Hyundai A-League campaign and further enhance their status as one of the movers and shakers of the competition.
Despite the lavish recruitment drive from Palmer, which succeeded in bringing back Socceroos regular Jason Culina to his native land, coach Miron Bleiberg maintained it wasn’t all five-star hotels and champagne in first-class for the Hyundai A-League newcomers.
“People are under the impression that we are the Chelsea of the A-League,” Bleiberg said.
“With what we’re spending, we’re basically under the same salary cap and restrictions as everyone else.”
“Clive is a tough businessman and we’re working on a very restricted budget.”
