Football: A-League to promote Korea at matches

SYDNEY - A-League clubs will promote Korea at matches next season in efforts to raise Australians' awareness of Asia and football in the region, organisers of the 2015 Asian Cup said Monday.

Australia will host the next Asian football showpiece and organising committee chief executive Michael Brown said the 2015 tournament had been awarded a AUD$40,000 (S$46,377) grant from the Australia-Korea Foundation to increase Australia's understanding of Korea.

"Thanks to the support of the Australia-Korea Foundation, we will be working with A-League clubs to promote Korea, Korean football and the Asian Cup throughout 2013-14," Brown said, without giving further details.

Brown said hosting the Asian Cup was a once in a generation opportunity for Australia to integrate the country into Asia.

"The eyes of Asia will be on Australia in January 2015 and we as a country need to take advantage of that," he said.

"Korea is Australia's fourth-largest trading partner and based on figures from previous tournaments we expect tens of millions of Koreans to tune in to the Asian Cup in 2015 and thousands more to travel here for the tournament.

"This provides us with an unprecedented opportunity to promote Australia to Asia and build economic, diplomatic and social links across the continent."

As a result of finishing third at the 2011 Asian Cup, South Korea has already qualified for the 2015 tournament along with North Korea, Japan and hosts, Australia.

The tournament will take place between January 9-31 January 2015 with matches in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle.