Aware of the sensitivity of taking soccer into an AFL heartland, Western United coach Mark Rudan has a simple message for those contemplating attending Launceston's two A-League fixtures next week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It's an opportunity to watch professional sport and unfortunately there's not enough of that in any code for the locals," Rudan said.
"It's the world game, the most popular sport in the world and I think people will be pleasantly surprised if they come and watch and see the skillset of our players and how we go about our football.
"It's a chance to watch a professional match, maybe for the first time - why wouldn't they come?"
With three wins from their last four games, eighth-placed United took on Wellington Phoenix in Woollongong on Sunday night and the Kiwis will also be their second opponent in Launceston on Thursday week (7.05pm) after Saturday's opener against ladder-leading Central Coast (5.05pm).
In the space of six days, Tasmania will double the number of A-League fixtures it has hosted with matches returning to UTAS Stadium for the first time since Melbourne Victory drew with Gold Coast United and Central Coast Mariners in 2012 and '13 respectively.
United's side features former Italian international Alessandro Diamanti and the A-League's all-time leading goal-scorer Besart Berisha and Rudan said the fixtures will be pivotal to the team's season.
"They are a very important two games," he said.
"We've spoken about inconsistency in our results. We've never really lost by a great margin, just the odd goal here and there, and hopefully after the last two games, where we've got six points out of six, we can continue that trend.
"We go to Phoenix on Sunday then head down and the boys are very excited about going to Tasmania, putting on a performance and taking the game to the people down there, but we also need to win those games. I have not been to the stadium but I've heard that the pitch is fantastic and we're looking forward to going there."