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Australia World Cup breakthrough a major boost for Asian football
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 00:31
While still technically an Oceania football playing nation, Australia
officially became part of the Asian soccer family in September when the AFC
unanimously ratified it as its 46th member.
It means they can take part in AFC tournaments from January 1, providing the
prospect of Australia's stable of English Premier League players showcasing
their talent on a more regular basis in Asia.
"It will give us a fantastic entry card (to the AFC)," Football Federation
Australia chairman Frank Lowy said Thursday. "We will go there with credibility
on the field ... and they'll be proud to have us."
The likely scenario is that Australian clubs will take part in the Asian
Champions League club competition while the national team will compete in Asian
Cup qualifiers in 2006.
Even FIFA, which is supposed to be impartial, welcomed Australia reaching the
World Cup finals.
"We are not judging other teams because we have to be neutral but generally
speaking we welcome Australia, we congratulate Australia," FIFA spokesman Markus
Siegler told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
"It will give a strong sign, a boost, a kick, to many young boys and girls,
this will give an impact on football in general."
Offsetting the excitement was the disappointment of Bahrain, who saw their
chances disappear when Dennis Lawrence's goal sealed a 2-1 play-off aggregate
win for Trinidad and Tobago in Manama.
The tiny Caribbean nation, led by former Manchester
United striker Dwight Yorke who now plies his trade in Australia, made their own
bit of history as they also qualified for the first time.
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