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Asia invites Oceania into Asian championships
AFC president, Peter Velappan, has informally invited the Oceania champion to the Asian National Championships for 2008. An opportunity the OFC nations would take with both hands.
Australian coach Frank Farina has welcomed the announcement telling the The Daily Telegraph it was fantasic news. Especially since Soccer Australia has been having trouble getting international matches and when they do, having trouble getting top flight players to play in them. The AFC Championship may just be what is needed for the sport on Oceania and Australia.
"You guys need international matches and we need to get used to playing physical teams like Australia and New Zealand," Velappan said. "The last World Cup has shown that modern football is mostly about aggression ... We need more exposure to this European type of game ... It's an exciting prospect and I support it wholeheartedly."
The only draw back is the preliminary matches for the 2004 AFC Championship in China have only recently been held so any possible move for the OFC champion wouldn't be until 2008. Howeveer this allows both regions to discuss the proposal which will no doubt be greeted with open arms by OFC preident Basil Scarsella.
"We aim to set up a strategic relationship at all levels of football (with the AFC), from the senior national teams to the under-17s and the clubs," Scarsella said. "Working together with the Asians can only benefit both areas."
With this possibility OFC can benifit both financially and in the development of the game in the region. There is also the possibility that the OFC can invite the AFC champion to the OFC Nations Cup to participate, allowing the smaller nations to play a quality side from Asia they otherwise wouldn't have played. This development for both regions can only benifit the game of football.
(Quotes from www.theworldgame.com.au)
posted 26 December 2002 |
