Canberra's Asian Cup Venues In Lockdown Mode Following Sydney Hostage Siege

Security has been "ramped up at Canberra's three Asian Cup venues" in preparation for the largest football tournament in the world this year, according to Lee Gaskin of the CANBERRA TIMES. With "just five days to go before South Korea takes on Oman in the first of seven games to be played at Canberra Stadium, the venue is under lock and key." Canberra Stadium has been in "lockdown mode" since Dec. 30 and security guards "are stationed at the venue on a 24-hour basis." McKellar Park and Deakin Stadium, which will be used as training venues, "were closed from 6am on Sunday." A security guard was at each ground. The Asian Football Confederation had asked Australia to "increase security for the Asian Cup after last month's deadly hostage siege in Sydney." A spokesperson for the Asian Cup local organizing committee said the organization had "worked closely with Australian governments and security authorities." The spokesperson said, "Our aim is to deliver a safe, secure and friendly tournament" (CANBERRA TIMES, 12/4).