Qantas Socceroos v Japan kick-off time amended

The Qantas Socceroos will play their first home match of the final stage of their 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign in Brisbane on Tuesday 12 June 2012 when they host Japan in a re-match of the AFC Asian Cup 2011 final.

Football Federation Australia has today announced that following consultation with FIFA, the AFC and the World Sport Group the kick-off time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers match between the Qantas Socceroos and Japan in Brisbane on Tuesday 12 June 2012 is now confirmed for 8:00pm.

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 FFA CEO Ben Buckley.

“The vagaries of timezones 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 12 June.”

The match between the 1st and 2nd ranked teams in Asia will be the highlight of match day three of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Final Round and will have one of the highest viewing audiences for the round. The last time the two teams met in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011, the viewing audience was 484 million in 80 countries across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, North America and North Africa.

The Qantas Socceroos will be seeking to reverse the result in Doha that saw Japan emerge with a 1-0 victory in extra time.

The Qantas Socceroos have been drawn in Group B, along with Japan, Iraq, Jordan and Oman and as the top ranked team in the group, the Qantas Socceroos have a bye on the opening match day.

The Qantas Socceroos first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Final Round will be away to Oman on Friday 8 June 2012 before returning to Australia for their first home match against Japan on Tuesday 12 June 2012.

The next two match days for the Qantas Socceroos will be away to Jordan on Tuesday 11 September 2012 and then Iraq on Tuesday 16 October 2012. The Qantas Socceroos next match day will be at home on Tuesday 26 March 2013 against Oman, with the final three match days in June against Japan (away - Tuesday, 4 June 2013), Jordan (home - Tuesday, 11 June 2013) and Iraq (home Tuesday, 18 June 2013).

The top two teams from each group will progress directly to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The two third placed teams from each group will meet in a play-off over two match days (6 & 10 September 2013) with the winner over the two legs to face the a CONMEBOL team on 15 October 2013 and 19 November 2013 with the winner of that fixture over two legs then progressing to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Qantas Socceroos will warm-up for the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Fourth Round campaign with an international friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen on Saturday 2 June 2012 before they face Oman in Muscat on Friday 8 June 2012.

Tickets for the Qantas Socceroos versus Japan match are on sale now. To purchase tickets click here

Match Details Qantas Socceroos vs Japan Tuesday 12 June, 2012 Brisbane Stadium, Milton Kick-Off: 8.00pm Gates Open 6.00pm

Ticket Prices - General Public Category A - $95 all tickets Category B - $65 Adult, $35 Concession, $165 Family Category C- $40 Adult, $20 Concession, $95 Family Australian Active Area - $45 Adult, $25 Concession

Ticket Prices - 10% Discount - Football Family Category A - $85.50 all tickets Category B - $58.50 Adult, $31.50 Concession, $148.50 Family Category C - $36.00 Adult, $18 Concession, $85.50 Family, Australian Active Area - $40.50 Adult, $22.50 Concession

On Sale Dates Football Family - 9am Wednesday 14 March until 9pm Sunday 18 March General Public - 9am Thursday 22 March