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Exclusive: AFC Expects 20-25,000 Fans For Asian Champions League Final

The governing body is working hard to put bums on seats...

Nov 5, 2009 7:03:27 AM

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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) expect that between 20-25,000 fans will attend the Asian Champions League final in Tokyo on Saturday.

For the first time since the relaunch of the competition in 2003, the continental showpiece will be played as a one-off match at a neutral venue rather than the usual two-leg home and away basis.

The fact that there is no Japanese team involved in the match has raised concerns that the 55,000 capacity National Stadium could be sparsely attended.

Pohang Steelers have announced that around 500 fans will travel from South Korea, more than the number of supporters expected to travel from Saudi Arabia to watch Al Ittihad.

The AFC however are confident that there will be a healthy attendance.

“Ticket sales are the responsibility of the Local Organising Committee (LOC),’ Tokuaki Suzuki, AFC Director of Competitions, told Goal.com.

“However, we are working hard together to fill the stadium as much as possible by promoting this event.

“In addition, the LOC is trying to attract more footballl family members such as local football teams, coaches and referees by using the Japanese Football Association and local football associations.

"Also, we have been trying to reach the Korean and Saudi Arabian communities in Tokyo to attract more ethnic football fans. Our expectation is an attendance of 20 to 25,000.”

John Duerden

Asia Editor

john.duerden@goal.com