Published on November 16, 2005

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is hoping Australia succeed against Uruguay in the second leg of their World Cup play-off in order to strengthen claims for more World Cup places in future.

In a twist of fate, Australia went into the matches against Uruguay as a representative of Oceania, but if the Socceroos qualify they will participate in next year’s finals in Germany as an Asian team. Australia will officially leave the Oceania Football Confederation to become the 46th member of the AFC on January 1.

Asia has 4 1/2 spots in the 32-team World Cup, but the AFC wants at least one and possibly two more in time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

AFC general secretary Peter Velappan, who was in Sydney recently to attend a Lowy Institute conference titled Football Diplomacy: Engaging Asia Through Sport, made it clear the Socceroos could help the Asian cause by beating Uruguay.

“We are hoping for this very much,” Velappan said. “This is one issue [Asia’s World Cup allocation] which has been going on a long time.

“When Australia joins us, they will be a very strong member. Fifa knows when we sit down next year to talk about 2010, we will be asking for an extra seat.

“Hopefully Australia will make it to Germany. Once these play-offs are finished, we could have six teams in the World Cup. Asia will then have a very strong argument to take to Fifa.”

Whether Asia ends up with one or two extra spots, a play-off will remain as part of the equation, and in a further twist the AFC and the OFC have already agreed for future play-offs to involve the two confederations.

That raises the possibility of Australia playing old rivals New Zealand for a berth in the 2010 World Cup and beyond.

“We have given some thought to this, and it doesn’t make sense for Oceania to play off against South America in future,” Velappan said. “Geographically, Asia and Oceania are very close. We believe any play-offs in future should be between us.

“That is our view, and the one we will be taking to Fifa.”

Alan Parkhouse

The Nation

Post your comment to this story here