Cup fever over top

Andrew Mathieson
Geelong has gone over the top in its excitement abouter a bid to host World Cup soccer matches, according to one of the city’s longest-serving administrators in the sport.
Joe Cappadona believed that Australia, one of seven bidders to host the cup, would need a “bit of luck” to win the 2022 tournament but had “no chance” against 10 rivals for the 2018 event.
“I definitely don’t think we’re going to get 2018,” Mr Cappadona said.
“We may have a better chance for 2022.”
Reports this week said the Brumby Government had earmarked Skilled Stadium as a potential host of World Cup matches if an Australian bid to host the event was successful.
World-governing body FIFA will make its decision on the two World Cups in December.
Mr Cappadona, who spent 15 years leading Geelong Regional Football Association, said European contenders were on track to host 2018.
He believed Geelong figures seeking support to further boost capacity at Skilled Stadium were getting carried away.
“I think people overreact because…all these people are behind it,” Mr Cappadona said.
“Personally, we’ve got to crawl before we can walk. Some people don’t understand what we have to do but, if we are going to do it, we need to do it properly.”
A new Melbourne stadium dubbed The Bubble for its unique shaped grandstand will be complete in April with seat 31,000 seats, which is below FIFA’s minimum capacity standard. The AFL wants to retain Melbourne’s other major ground, Etihad Stadium, for Australian Rules matches if a World Cup bid is successful.