Asia must wrest Cup berths from Europe, outgoing AFC chief says

Asia must wrest Cup berths from Europe, outgoing AFC chief says

Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

Asia should aim to take away World Cup places from Europe in a push to improve the continent's standards, outgoing Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general secretary Peter Velappan said on Friday.

Velappan, who is to be replaced by fellow Malaysian Paul Mony as the AFC's top administrator in January, said the world could no longer belittle Asian football, especially after its excellent performance in the 2002 World Cup.

With Australia set to strengthen Asia's ranks with a likely move from Oceania to the AFC in the near future, the 69-year-old said Asian countries should look to increase their current World Cup allocation of four and a half places.

"Nobody should bully or short-change Asia because it is going to be the continent of the future," said Velappan. "It is going to be an influential part of world football.

"As the quality of our players and teams continues to improve, we should be looking at getting as many places as Europe. We should not be prepared to stay with four or five places forever."

In the 2002 tournament, co-hosts South Korea reached the semifinals while Japan advanced to the last 16.

Velappan famously led a walk-out of Asian delegates during the 1999 FIFA Congress in Los Angeles when the world governing body gave Asia just two qualifying places for 2002 in addition to the co-hosts' automatic berths.

For the 2006 World Cup, Asia has four automatic places and could secure a fifth in a playoff against a team from the CONCACAF region. Europe has 13 plus hosts Germany.

"I have dedicated my life to football in Asia and will continue to do that. I have stood firm for Asia," said Velappan, AFC general secretary for 27 years during which he has overseen the body's growth from a one-man show to an organization with around 100 staff.