Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill is appointed Captain Ambassador for the Asian Cup in 2015 Face of the games ... Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill. SOCCEROOS leader Lucas Neill has been appointed Captain Ambassador for the Asian Cup football tournament in Australia in 2015. Neill's appointment comes 500 days out from the start of the 16-team tournament, which will runs from January 9-31 in 2015, with Australia playing in the opening game of the three-week event in Melbourne. "I feel very proud and deeply honoured," Neill said from Japan, where he recently signed for Omiya. It's like wearing the captain's armband, but never having to take it off. The tournament kicks off less than six months after the World Cup in Brazil. Australia, Japan, South Korea and North Korea have already qualified for the Asian Cup finals, with the other 12 qualifiers to be determined by next March. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle and Canberra will all host matches in the tournament.