"countdown for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the anticipation for an event or moment. Example: We have a ten day countdown for the launch of our new product.
We worked on the countdown for a rocket ride.
The first half of a "split countdown" for the flight was completed, this morning.
The countdown for the next round of European Union expansion is about to begin.
But the countdown for Wright has begun, and the Mets are thrilled.
With the countdown for love in high gear, old boyfriends resurface, often on the Internet.
The countdown for the launching could begin as early as Saturday morning.
The countdown for Armageddon has begun not only in Africa but all over the world.
On Jan . 27 , 1967he was present in the blockhouse at Cape Canaveral during a simulated countdown for Apollo 1.
Actually, all the citizens of Prato I talked to firmly believed that the final countdown for EU-doom had begun.
As the 10-second countdown for her group began, she glanced up at the clear, blue sky.
We've deducted points in this countdown for some programmes and books because of inaccuracy - having puzzles that wouldn't actually appear in the real world.
