FIFA figures reveal 14,161 tickets have been purchased by Australian fans for the Socceroos’ June 18 clash against the Netherlands in Porto Alegre.

It’s the second-highest ticket uptake by fans of a single nation among the five World Cup matches scheduled for Porto Alegre.

Only neighbouring Argentina, with 18,522 tickets bought by its fans for the game against Nigeria on June 25, has secured more.

“When we spoke to the Australian Consulate they told us 15,000 to 20,000 Australians would be coming. We said, “That’s unbelievable’,” Mariana Milani from Rio Grande do Sul Tourism said.

“When we saw the official numbers, we said, ‘OK. That’s very awesome’.”

Only 3087 tickets have been bought by fans in the Netherlands for the Group B match against the Socceroos.

media_camera A glimpse inside the stadium.

It means Ange Postecoglou’s outfit should ride a strong wave of support at the 50,000-seat Estadio Beira Rio Stadium.

A delegation of Dutch media last week in Porto Alegre was dismayed by the level of Australian backing.

“They said, ‘How can Australia have so many coming?’” Milani said.

Supporters of European power France have purchased just 4459 tickets to watch Les Blues’ clash against Honduras at Porto Alegre on June 15.

The Australia-Netherlands match in the southern Brazilian city is a sellout with the remaining tickets snapped up by soccer-mad Brazilians.

media_camera The stadium facade.

Work continues around the clock to complete the renovation of the Estadio Beira Rio.

While the pitch and grandstand seating are ready, the players’ change rooms are yet to be fitted out and considerable roadworks around the stadium are also yet to be finished.

But local officials are confident all will be in readiness for the first match.