<TABLE class=body cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=738 background=/images/hdr_bkgrd.gif border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=24>Sports // Friday, January 30, 2009</TD><TD width=23>
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=738 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top height=30>A three-way continental fight for the 2018 World Cup, as Indonesia surprise </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>SEOUL — Just as a consensus was forming that the World Cup will return to Europe or the Americas in 2018, Asia has delivered a sharp reminder that football’s showpiece may instead return east. .
Four countries from the Asian confederation will be among those putting their names forward to Fifa by the Feb 2 bidding deadline. .
Indonesia announced their candidacy on Wednesday. Australia and Qatar did so even earlier. .
And yesterday, Japan submitted a letter of intent to bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while also pitching Tokyo’s candidacy to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. .
It is anticipated that China will follow suit in the coming days. .
All prospective hosts for both the 2018 and 2022 events must notify Fifa of their intention to bid by Feb 2, with the winners announced in Dec next year. .
In a time of financial austerity, the European bids — from England, Spain and Portugal, Benelux and Russia — have the advantage of existing stadiums that would allow them to host a World Cup without much additional investment. .
The same can be said of the likely North American bidders: The United States, Canada and Mexico, who are all expected to submit applications. .
However, the growing wealth of nations like China and India in the Asian viewing timezone makes it potentially the most attractive for advertisers, which drives the value of television rights, which in turn is a massive factor in Fifa’s choice of hosts. .
In December, the Australian government offered A$30 million ($30 million) to fund a bid and the country has a strong track record in organising big sporting events. .
“With Spain and Portugal coming into the mix with England, Holland and Belgium, and Russia, the four bidders from Europe, it certainly makes it a very competitive field,” Football Federation Australia chief Ben Buckley said. .
“We welcome any challenge. We are confident we have the ability to present a strong bid to Fifa.” .
Qatar enjoys influence in Asian football as it is the home of Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammed Bin Hammam, a close ally of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter. .
Indonesia, co-hosts of the 2007 Asian Cup, shocked football by announcing their candidacy earlier this week. .
Under their colonial name the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia were the first Asian nation to participate in the World Cup back in 1938. .
They now aim to become the first sole Asian hosts, after Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002. .
Indonesia face more work than any of their rivals in terms of improving infrastructure and facilities, which may count against them in challenging economic times, but the sheer size of the country’s population of 235 million make them bidders to be reckoned with. .
“Ten years are enough for us to build, renovate or expand our stadiums to meet the requirement,” Indonesia FA secretary general Nugraha Besoes said. .
“This seems like only a dream for us now, but we must dare to dream big.” AP
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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=738 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top height=30>A three-way continental fight for the 2018 World Cup, as Indonesia surprise </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>SEOUL — Just as a consensus was forming that the World Cup will return to Europe or the Americas in 2018, Asia has delivered a sharp reminder that football’s showpiece may instead return east. .
Four countries from the Asian confederation will be among those putting their names forward to Fifa by the Feb 2 bidding deadline. .
Indonesia announced their candidacy on Wednesday. Australia and Qatar did so even earlier. .
And yesterday, Japan submitted a letter of intent to bid for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, while also pitching Tokyo’s candidacy to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. .
It is anticipated that China will follow suit in the coming days. .
All prospective hosts for both the 2018 and 2022 events must notify Fifa of their intention to bid by Feb 2, with the winners announced in Dec next year. .
In a time of financial austerity, the European bids — from England, Spain and Portugal, Benelux and Russia — have the advantage of existing stadiums that would allow them to host a World Cup without much additional investment. .
The same can be said of the likely North American bidders: The United States, Canada and Mexico, who are all expected to submit applications. .
However, the growing wealth of nations like China and India in the Asian viewing timezone makes it potentially the most attractive for advertisers, which drives the value of television rights, which in turn is a massive factor in Fifa’s choice of hosts. .
In December, the Australian government offered A$30 million ($30 million) to fund a bid and the country has a strong track record in organising big sporting events. .
“With Spain and Portugal coming into the mix with England, Holland and Belgium, and Russia, the four bidders from Europe, it certainly makes it a very competitive field,” Football Federation Australia chief Ben Buckley said. .
“We welcome any challenge. We are confident we have the ability to present a strong bid to Fifa.” .
Qatar enjoys influence in Asian football as it is the home of Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammed Bin Hammam, a close ally of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter. .
Indonesia, co-hosts of the 2007 Asian Cup, shocked football by announcing their candidacy earlier this week. .
Under their colonial name the Dutch East Indies, Indonesia were the first Asian nation to participate in the World Cup back in 1938. .
They now aim to become the first sole Asian hosts, after Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002. .
Indonesia face more work than any of their rivals in terms of improving infrastructure and facilities, which may count against them in challenging economic times, but the sheer size of the country’s population of 235 million make them bidders to be reckoned with. .
“Ten years are enough for us to build, renovate or expand our stadiums to meet the requirement,” Indonesia FA secretary general Nugraha Besoes said. .
“This seems like only a dream for us now, but we must dare to dream big.” AP
