Melbourne Victory is excited to continue its association with the Melbourne Asian Cup and can’t wait to see the crème of the crop battle it out over the next two months at the Darebin International Sports Centre.
Teams representing Asian Football Confederation countries and guest nations will compete to become the Melbourne Asian Cup champion. The two finalists will win the right to play a curtain-raiser before Melbourne Victory take on Sydney FC in our annual U-NITE fixture on December 13. U-NITE was created to celebrate multiculturalism, cultural diversity and bring people together through football under the banner of Melbourne Victory . This event is the perfect stage for the finalists of the Melbourne Asian Cup to be celebrated.
The event is organised by the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association with support from Melbourne Victory, Football Federation Victoria (FFV) and the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
The objective is to celebrate the diversity of Melbourne’s multicultural communities. The tournament will launch in Melbourne on October 26, 2014 at Darebin International Sports Centre. Melbourne Victory and the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association have worked closely together to make the Melbourne Asian Cup an annual event and look forward to the growth of this competition.
The teams competing are Afghanistan, Australia, Burma, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Zambia
Ken Lam, President of the Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association said “Melbourne Chinese Soccer Association is again delighted to partner with Melbourne Victory, Football Federation Victoria and the AFC Asian Cup 2015 to deliver this significant annual event for Melbourne’s diverse multicultural community:.
“In 2013, we saw 16 teams compete in a unique sporting event that provides the opportunity for local amateur football players to display their talents on the pitch. Great football was played, friendships were formed and all participants entered into the spirit of the tournament. This year, we look forward to more great football and even greater success off the pitch” Mr Lam added.
While the preliminary matches will be played at Darebin International Sports Centre, the grand finalists will play off at Etihad Stadium ahead of Melbourne Victory’s clash with Sydney FC on December 13.
Melbourne Victory CEO Ian Robson said: “Melbourne Victory considers it a great privilege to be in a position to support the Melbourne Asian Cup each year. We understand the power that football has to unite people from diverse backgrounds and we are extremely excited about the Melbourne Asian Cup tournament, as it involves 14 nations coming together to deliver a fantastic community football event. We look forward to great football during the tournament and to celebrating the winners of the Melbourne Asian Cup at Melbourne Victory’s U-NITE match at Etihad Stadium on December 13.” Mr Robson said.
