FFA chief happy with World Cup security

FFA boss Ben Buckley has dismissed security fears ahead of the World Cup despite
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek describing the "unbelievable" African Cup of Nations
attack as a wake-up call for the 2010 tournament's organisers.
Three died in last week's machine gun attack on the Togo team bus in Angola.
In Brisbane to promote Australia's crucial March 3 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against
Indonesia at Suncorp Stadium, Verbeek said on Thursday that the attack would be a
"lesson" to World Cup organisers.
"We were discussing to send several scouts over there to see Ghana because we play
in the same (World Cup) group as Ghana and we took the decision not to put any of us
in jeopardy because we had read some stories - we knew it wasn't a very quiet area,"
Verbeek said.
"We are all very happy we took the decision not to send anybody over there.
"It's an unbelievable thing that happened over there.
"Let that be a lesson for the World Cup and for the upcoming tournaments."
But FFA CEO Buckley said he was more than satisfied with World Cup security
arrangements in place in South Africa and reiterated that he would visit Angola this
month to attend the African Cup of Nations final and the CAF congress.
"We've been working on our security plans for the World Cup for some period of time
now," Buckley said.
"We are very confident that the plans in place by (world body) FIFA, by the local
organising committee and the work that's been done by our security officer and also
liaising with the federal police, that the team will be safe and its security will
be very well managed.
"We take it very seriously."
Buckley said "parallels" could not be drawn between the Angola attack and the World
Cup tournament in South Africa.
"They're very different regions and we don't expect that there will be issues like
that," he said.
"But having said that, as an organisation, a federation, the safety of the players
is paramount.
"We're satisfied with the progress of our plans that have been put in place."
Buckley added: "I will be travelling to Angola, not next week but the week after,
for the final of the African Nations Cup.
"I will be attending the CAF congress as well in respect to promoting Australia's
bid credentials for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.
"There will be FFA representation there."
Meanwhile, Verbeek said he may look to Asian-based Australians rather than Europe to
bolster his Socceroos squad for the must win clash with Indonesia in March.
"I am looking at players who can handle a trip like this," he said.
"You can't underestimate what it is like to fly over from Europe - (but) we have
some players in China, Korea and Japan, that's not a bad trip.
"And another point I have to think about is the climate. Europe in March would be
between zero and five degrees - coming here it will be 35 (degrees).
"And against Kuwait in Dubai (last week's 2-2 draw) I think the players showed us
that they are good enough to do the job also."