Australia completes move from to Asia<\/p>\n
Mike Collett, Reuters\/Frankfurt, Germany<\/p>\n
FIFA's executive committee on Wednesday ratified Australia's
\nmigration from the Oceania confederation (OFC) to the Asian
\nconfederation (AFC), a move that will have a major impact on
\nsoccer in both regions.<\/p>\n
Australia had not been expected to be given approval until
\nSeptember when FIFA's Congress meets in Marrakech, Morocco but
\nthe executive committee saw no reason to wait until then, said
\nFIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
"All the participants were happy with the move and this being
\nthe case, the executive committee approved it under the statutes.
\nIt did not need to wait for Congress."<\/p>\n
Blatter added: "The Oceania delegates have thought for many
\nyears that Australia was too powerful and blocked the way of the
\nother 11 countries. Now New Zealand, and the Pacific islands at
\nleast have a chance. They can go it alone, I am sure it will be a
\nsuccess."<\/p>\n
Mohamed Bin Hammam, the AFC president, said: "The FIFA
\nexecutive committee decided to allow Australia to move now and I
\nam very glad it has happened.<\/p>\n
"It makes sense from both the Oceania point of view and for
\nAsia it is good that we have another strong country."<\/p>\n
Australia now becomes the 46th member of the AFC and its new
\nstatus should have a hugely beneficial impact on the development
\nof soccer in the country.<\/p>\n
The move will also end a series of mis-matches which have
\nincluded Australia crushing Pacific island nations American Samoa
\n31-0 and Tonga 22-0 in World Cup qualifiers in the last few
\nyears.<\/p>\n
At the same time it will give Australia a far more realistic
\nchance of reaching future World Cup finals -- something they have
\nnot done since 1974 in West Germany.<\/p>\n
Australia have usually won the Oceania zone qualifying
\ncompetition with ease -- and then faltered in a two-legged
\nplayoff against South American or Asian opponents.<\/p>\n
This way they can afford to lose some matches like every other
\nnation does during the 18-month long qualifying campaign -- and
\nstill get through to the finals.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made, ironically, on the day Australia
\ncoach Frank Farina stepped down from his job after three straight
\ndefeats by his team in the Confederations Cup.<\/p>\n
Australia are still hoping to qualify for the 2006 World Cup
\nin Germany through their traditional route, but will be an Asian
\nnation for the 2010 qualifying campaign ahead of the finals in
\nSouth Africa.<\/p>",
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