sport, local-sport

LAUNCESTON has landed a major sporting coup with an A-League roster match involving Harry Kewell's Melbourne Victory lined up for Aurora Stadium. The game against Gold Coast United on Wednesday, February 1, would break new ground for the venue and build on the success of the preseason fixture played annually since 2006 and averaging crowds of 6140. A deal is being finalised to lock in a roster match for the next three years with Victory, which has frequently spoken of its admiration for the stadium and the Tasmanian market and is keen to create a Hawthorn-style relationship in the city. Football Federation Australia was reported to have been extremely impressed by Aurora Stadium and the crowd of 6300 that watched Victory beat reigning champion Brisbane Roar earlier this month, and it is hoped up to 10,000 fans could be attracted for the roster match, particularly if Socceroo star Kewell plays. FFA chief executive Ben Buckley hinted at the fixture while attending a Football Federation Tasmania board meeting in Hobart last week and even suggested the Socceroos may play in the state in the near future. The Examiner has since learned that Launceston is in line to host the February 1 match. The fixture remains on both teams' websites as being played at the Gold Coast's Skilled Park stadium. However, FFA operates a policy of taking home games from lower-drawing clubs to regional venues around the country and was said to have been impressed by Launceston City Council's request to be considered. The council has been pushing for such a fixture for several years and it is believed it would be in addition to Victory's existing preseason match at Aurora. Both the council and FFT confirmed the news yesterday but stressed the deal has yet to be signed. REACTION: Page 40

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