By Jonathan Cook
PERTH'S international soccer drought could be washed away in a deluge this year as local officials push to bring the Socceroos to WA.
The city has not hosted an international fixture since the Olyroos took on Brazil at the WACA Ground in 1998 - and the senior Australian side has not appeared in Perth since 1995.
But that could be rectified this year.
Soccer Australia board member Paul Afkos said yesterday the Young Socceroos, whose vice-captain is Perth Glory defender David Tarka, were booked in for a Perth training camp in March. The camp should involve matches against Asian opposition.
Soccer Australia has approved Perth as the Young Socceroos' base in the build-up to the world youth championships, which take place in the United Arab Emirates from March 25 to April 16. But the icing on the cake for WA soccer would be a glamour friendly between the Socceroos and World Cup qualifying nemesis Uruguay in Perth in June.
The Socceroos, who lost to Uruguay 3-1 on aggregate during qualification for the 2002 World Cup finals, will meet England in London on February 12 and are scheduled to take on Yugoslavia in Belgrade the following month, Afkos said. Soccer Australia also plans matches against Mexico and Nigeria and two against Uruguay this year.
"Western Australia will bid to have one of those Uruguay games here," Afkos said.
A well-run Young Socceroos camp, which would be assisted by the Soccer Administration of WA, would significantly help WA's cause, he said.
"If we can achieve good coordination and planning for the pre-World Cup camp, it would certainly help get support from Soccer Australia for the Uruguay game," he said.
Soccer Australia is hoping to invite two or three Asian nations and another from South America to take part in a camp, and possibly a mini-tournament to be held two weeks prior to the world youth championship, Afkos said.
Sport International WA, a government arm, is also looking to bring international soccer to Perth this year, according to international project officer Tom Hoad.
Hoad said the organisation was hoping to take advantage of the number of visitors to WA during this year's rugby World Cup by organising a match against the South African national team.
"We are looking at trying to organise a South African national team game against Perth Glory and maybe even Australia some time in October," Hoad said.
"The Socceroos haven't played here for a long time and it might be an opportunity for them. But we are not that far into the discussions yet."
A big contingent of South African tourists will descend on Perth for the Springboks' rugby pool matches, which start on October 11.
SAWA president David Schrandt, who is also president of local professional body Soccer West Coast, said he supported bringing any international soccer fixtures to Perth.
Hopefully ill get to see the socceroos play, I never have so it will be good to watch if it does happen
