Oceanian football moves to Asia

Samuel_Vimes · 10-12-2006, 06:07 PM

The Oceanian Football Confederation have realised the inevitable - that it's much easier to get through Asian World Cup qualification than through a play-off with the fifth placed nation in South America, who'd be given good chances to thump Japan any day. Amazing that they had to move a whole nation into Asia to get it, really.

Instead of play-offs, the OFC winner will now qualify for the final stage in Asia, so Oceania will basically be a regional group of Asia to reduce travel distances.

http://www.oceaniafootball.com/index...ID=2031&sID=12

Any pleased Kiwis? Or any peed off Aussies who realise that moving confederations will only result in longer away trips (and a bit more meaningful club competitions)

_Ed_ · 10-12-2006, 06:23 PM

Definitely good news for NZ.

Matteh · 10-12-2006, 06:29 PM

Australia might still get the 2010 World Cup and throw the whole thing into even more of a mess.

Perm · 10-12-2006, 07:49 PM

I'm not a fan of New Zealand soccer, I obviously like to see the All Whites do well but the Knights just embarass me to be honest. This is good news for the national team though because we should be able to be the best team in Oceania and this would make our qualification to future World Cup's easier.

Simon · 10-12-2006, 07:55 PM

would be good to see NZ at the world cup, for a start it would be a boost for the A League in the region as well as the popularity of the game in NZ. It will be tough for them to beat the Asian sides they would be likely to come up against but a hell of a lot easier than south america.

If Australia had of stayed in the region i dont think this change would have been made, obviously FIFA have looked at it and said its pretty much impossible for a side from this region it make the World Cup so we will give them a sporting chance, with Australia in it there was always some chance we could knock off the South American side.

Cloete · 10-12-2006, 08:20 PM

Yeah it's good news all round IMO. I still think Australia's move into Asia was the best thing possible for us.

pasag · 10-12-2006, 09:51 PM

Hmm, I'm pretty sure I read just yesterday that there are a few countries trying as hard as possible to get us kicked out.

chaminda_00 · 10-12-2006, 10:05 PM

By the sounds of it, only the WC quailfication process is moving to Asia for the final stage. So does that mean that they still get to qualify for Youth World Cups and Confederation Cups through Oceania?

Samuel_Vimes · 11-12-2006, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaminda_00

By the sounds of it, only the WC quailfication process is moving to Asia for the final stage. So does that mean that they still get to qualify for Youth World Cups and Confederation Cups through Oceania?

Yep. Oz' free Confed and YWC spot essentially moves to NZ.

chaminda_00 · 11-12-2006, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel_Vimes

Yep. Oz' free Confed and YWC spot essentially moves to NZ.

Well still make the Confed through Asia, i just think our youth sides got stuffed. But i guess if they make it through Asia, they would have earned their spot, still better long term.

BoyBrumby · 11-12-2006, 10:24 AM

Are NZ up to giving (say) South Korea or Japan a game?

Didn't they go down to the Soloman Islands (or some other footballing powerhouse) last time?

Sir Redman · 11-12-2006, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

Are NZ up to giving (say) South Korea or Japan a game?

Didn't they go down to the Soloman Islands (or some other footballing powerhouse) last time?

Yeah, we lost to the Solomans in the qualifiers last time. The whole structure of NZ soccer was an absolute shambles at the time though and there were all sorts of problems between players and managers and the like. Since then we've had a bit of an overhaul at the top, with a new chief executive, new management system etc. Ricki Herbert has taken over as coach of the All Whites and seems like he really knows what he's doing.

I'd say that at full strength we're capable of giving Japan a good game, we could probably pinch a result off them at home though it might be a bit much away. South Korea would probably be too good.

Simon · 11-12-2006, 04:42 PM

I dont think NZ are quite ready to take on Japan, Australia or South Korea yet. Maybe Saudi Arabia is a realistic target though...

ash chaulk · 11-12-2006, 07:05 PM

yeah could only see NZ being in the 2nd tier of asian teams

10-12-2006, 08:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cloete International Captain Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Suncorp Stadium Posts: 7,004	Yeah it's good news all round IMO. I still think Australia's move into Asia was the best thing possible for us. __________________ CWXI Regular - Member of CW Black Blacks ftw

10-12-2006, 09:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
pasag RTDAS Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Looking for milksteak Posts: 31,679	Hmm, I'm pretty sure I read just yesterday that there are a few countries trying as hard as possible to get us kicked out. __________________ Rest In Peace Craigos 2003-2012

10-12-2006, 10:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
chaminda_00 Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Murali CG Posts: 16,304	By the sounds of it, only the WC quailfication process is moving to Asia for the final stage. So does that mean that they still get to qualify for Youth World Cups and Confederation Cups through Oceania? __________________ The man, the mountain, the Mathews. The greatest all rounder since Keith Miller. (Y) Jaffna Jets CC (Battrick & FTP) RIP WCC and CW Cricket Member of the MSC, JMAS and CVAAS

11-12-2006, 10:24 AM	#11 (permalink)
BoyBrumby Englishman Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Doing the stance Posts: 42,582	Are NZ up to giving (say) South Korea or Japan a game? Didn't they go down to the Soloman Islands (or some other footballing powerhouse) last time? __________________ *- As featured in The Independent.* "This is not the time for namby-pamby promising youngsters who might just do something; not the time for building for the future. Pragmatism rules and they don't come more pragmatic than Rogers." - Victor Marks makes the case for stiff-legged and stiff-armed 35 year old left-handers in Ashes squads

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10-12-2006, 06:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
_Ed_ Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Auckland, Aotearoa Posts: 19,095	Definitely good news for NZ.

10-12-2006, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Simon Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 25,596	would be good to see NZ at the world cup, for a start it would be a boost for the A League in the region as well as the popularity of the game in NZ. It will be tough for them to beat the Asian sides they would be likely to come up against but a hell of a lot easier than south america. If Australia had of stayed in the region i dont think this change would have been made, obviously FIFA have looked at it and said its pretty much impossible for a side from this region it make the World Cup so we will give them a sporting chance, with Australia in it there was always some chance we could knock off the South American side.

11-12-2006, 04:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
Simon Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 25,596	I dont think NZ are quite ready to take on Japan, Australia or South Korea yet. Maybe Saudi Arabia is a realistic target though...

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