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.