Wednesday, 17 June 2009 2:48 PM
Bob Jane Stadium has played a significant part to the preparation of both the Australian and Japanese National Teams ahead of the big World Cup Qualifier at the MCG.
The home of South Melbourne FC has undergone extensive ground works over the past year and can now boast to be amongst the best playing surfaces in Victoria.
SMFC has played a significant role in the development of many Socceroos over the past 50 years, with 49 current or former South Melbourne FC players having pulled on the famous Green and Gold Shirt.
The contest also has some significance on the park tonight, with South Melbourne FC Team of the Century goalkeeper Michael Petkovic being selected in the squad for the match, with the club legend fighting for a starting birth against Mark Schwartzer. Petkovic played 161 games in what was a brilliant 6 year spell at Lakeside.
The club is excited that it can further continue to play a role in assisting the national team, both on and off the field.
Japan will also join a long list of visiting nations that will have used Bob Jane Stadium, with France, Uruguay and Greece all having used the venue as a training base in the past prior to games against the Australian National Team.
To view the entire list of SMFC Socceroos, please click here