The Kaspersky Cup. Bring on the Shanghai Showdown!
The countdown has well and truly started for this weekend’s mega fix of footy in Asia: the 11th Asian Championships on Saturday followed by Sunday’s Shanghai Showdown between Melbourne and Brisbane.
The AFL’s website, , has just posted the following report:
A CROWD of up to 10,000 spectators are expected to watch Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions go head to head in an exhibition match in the AFL’s first live foray into the Shanghai region this Sunday.
The match will be held at the Jiangwan Sports Centre and will follow a curtain raiser involving teams from Japan and China.
AFL general manager national and international development David Matthews said the match was a wonderful opportunity to showcase Australian football while Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab said the timing of the trip was perfect for the Demons’ developing list.
“Our time in China is about growing and building trust. The key to any form of development is openness, which in itself is a learned skill and is one of the key outcomes we are seeking from our time away,” Schwab said.
“The core of this group will be together for at least the next 10 years.”
The Kaspersky Cup coincides with World Expo in Shanghai, at which Australia has a significant presence.
On Saturday, 12 Australian football teams from across Asia will also compete in the Asian championships at Jiangwan Stadium.
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