Total attendance figures in the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 so far have surpassed the final figure reached in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011.
After the completion of Thursday’s first two quarter-finals, 465,381 fans have attended the matches, surging past the total of 421,000 four years ago.
“The fans are making this a truly remarkable festival of football. The overwhelming support is heartening, and we are on course to surpass our initial attendance estimation which is a wonderful achievement,” said Dato’ Alex Soosay, General Secretary, Asian Football Confederation.
“We are focused on giving fans a great football experience, and the increasing support is further proof that we have been doing just that.”
A total of 23,381 watched the Korea Republic against Uzbekistan game on Thursday in Melbourne, while Australia’s match with China saw 46,067 fans watch the action.
“Australians have responded with great enthusiasm and passion for this tournament and turned out in fantastic numbers,” Local Organising Committee CEO Michael Brown said.
“We’ve seen football fans, multicultural communities and the wider sporting audience turning up for the games in every city and I want to thank them for their support.
“I am proud of the great spirit in which the football has been played and in which the fans have celebrated and supported their teams.”
Iran take on Iraq on Friday in Canberra, while Japan meet the United Arab Emirates in Sydney in the two remaining quarter-finals.