Australia accepted into AFC

[pjennings]

Australia has been acceted into the AFC

Australia move from Oceania to Asian Confederation
Wed Jun 29, 2005 2:03 PM BST
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By Mike Collett

FRANKFURT, June 29 (Reuters) - FIFA's executive committee on Wednesday authorised Australia's move from the Oceania confederation (OFC) to the Asian confederation (AFC).

Australia had not been expected to be given approval until a FIFA Congress meeting in Morocco in September.

Mohamed bin Hammam, AFC president, said: "The FIFA executive committee decided to allow Australia to move now and I am very glad it has happened.

"It makes sense from both the Oceania point of view and for Asia it is good that we have another strong country."

Australia now become the 46th member of the AFC and the new status should have a hugely beneficial impact on the development of soccer in the country.

The move will change the dynamics of the sport in Asia and around the Pacific where Australia have been the dominant force for more than 30 years.

It will end a series of mis-matches which have included Australia crushing Pacific island nations American Samoa 31-0 and Tonga 22-0 in the last few years.

At the same time it will give Australia a far more realistic chance of reaching future World Cup finals -- something they have not done since 1974 in West Germany.

[striker9]

FIFA Executive Committee has approved the move for Australia into the Asian Football Confederation - effective 1 January 2006.

What happens if it wins a spot in the 2006 WC ?

Astralia will be an AFC team playing as an oceania qualifiers! why couldn't they leave it until the end of the 2006 WC?

[omni]

Qualifying for the 2006 WC is based on your 2005 Confed I'd gather. I imagine it was put at that date just for conveniance. It's irrelavant we won't make it on this form but with Frank gone we're in with a shot.

[Grunta]

Does this mean we get an A league team in the Asian Champions League too?

[Fish]

I think i remember reading somewhere we do.I think

[Fish]

MM Interesting situation that one Omni do you think its plausible we go in

[omni]

I'll put my post back up:

"They'd have to put the Mariners in Sydney FC have already qualified"

(admin feel free to dock me one post if deleted ones still count)