Locals get a World Cup win
TOWNSVILLE sports fans have been given a last-minute public live site to cheer on the Socceroos in their landmark World Cup clash.
Townsville City Council announced late on Friday plans to show Sunday morning’s knockout second round clash with Argentina in Flinders Square from 5am after a day of hectic negotiations.
Local fans faced the prospect of watching the game from their couches with no venues in the CBD staying open to show the match.
It is only the second time Australia has qualified for the Round of 16, matching the team’s achievements at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The victory prompted Brisbane lord mayor Adrian Schrinner to announce plans for a public live site in King George Square and Queen Street Mall to show the match.
But the Council had no plans to hold a public screen until Friday afternoon’s late announcement, which it shared on social media.
“Come for the football and stay for Cotters Markets as Australia takes on Argentina and continues their run in the World Cup,” the council wrote.
“All the action will be played live from 5am on the Flinders Square screen this Sunday 4 December.”
Venues including Tom’s Bar and the sports bar at The Ville Casino have been showing matches during the tournament, but will not be open on Sunday morning as it was outside trading hours.
Country Bank Stadium, which has lit up in support for the Socceroos on match days, will again turn green and gold from midnight on Sunday.
Mundingburra state Labor
MP Les Walker said the stadium had proven it would be a great venue to host more soccer action, including Socceroos matches, in the future.
He said fans turned out in force to watch Australia’s women’s side, the Matildas, play New Zealand in April, and for the Astonvilla vs Queensland Roar match in July.
“North Queenslanders love their football … I know Queensland Country Bank Stadium is in regular contact with promoters about additional stadium content for the North,” Mr Walker said.
Football Queensland’s senior technical manager, Michael Edwards said he believed the Socceroos’ success in Qatar would lead to an exciting boost in junior player registrationsin North Queensland in the new year.
“Because they’ve advanced to a further stage than they normally do, that’s really going to peak the interest of local players, and the young ones will want to join into the game and emulate their heroes,” he said.
“It provides opportunities for our community clubs to really engage with their local population to bring out the benefits of sport and grow their club environments. “