Originally Posted by Grayling

That is a matter of opinion.

Australia is heavily dependent on Asia for it's trade and becoming increasingly so.

A large (and growing percentage) of it's migrants are Asian (despite what Brits would like to believe).

It's largest and only serious neighbour (and it's nearest) is Indonesia which is Asian with a population of over 100 million (by far the largest power in the region).

Geographically it is closer to Asia than anywhere...look on a map.

If it had not been colonised it would logically haved been named part of Asia.

I repeat... in many respects Australia is part of Asia.

G

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Agreed except for the fact that Australia is probably the strongest power and most influential country in the Southern Hemisphere, and growing very very quickly. Australias future prospects are enhanced by the inevitablility of closer ties with asia. Personally I'm sure that in the future this country will have a larger population of asians than europeans, that will only add to it strength though.


What this has to do with football though I dont know

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

At least If Aussie does join the asian qualifying route, There will be at least 5 games in aussie, of a higher standard, and more competitive, than the oceania route. I'm sick of only being able to see one decent live game every 4 years. Talk about being starved of decent football.

I loved being at both the Iran and the Uruguay game. The chance to go and see, games against Japan, or Korea, or even the Middle eastern countries is a far better prospect than the likes of samoa and fiji and even NZ, Even if aussie doesn't end up Qualifying.

Originally Posted by JohnoBronco

Whilst the move will be beneficial for Australia and NewZealand should they move it will do nothing to develop football in the other Oceania countries which are already struggling to attract players ahead of Rugby. Could you imagine samoa winning the Oceania group then playing a qualifying game against a South American country it would be a mismatch!!!!!!

Originally Posted by brisnick

which just goes to show that oceania isn't big enough to have it's own conference, and should be amalgamated with the afc anyway.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

That being the case, Oceania, including Australia, maybe should have to qualify to play in the asian Federation in the first place. 'Just a suggestion', It gives the local teams a competiton, also the pct of a place that is deemed to be part of the qualifying part of the world cup, also carries across with the oceania winner.

Originally Posted by JohnoBronco

It seems strange that Oceania is the only zone where you can win your group and a final playoff game and still not qualify automatically

Originally Posted by bondipom

IMO putting 20 past American Samoa and then beating NZ is not tough enough for entry to the World Cup. Merging Oceania and Asia seems to be the logical solution. Maybe having a sub qualifying league for those teams languishing in the bottom of the FIFA rankings.

Originally Posted by JohnoBronco

I think that a merger would probably be the best solution as it would give all teams an open and fair chance - Also American Samoa may be able to beat Nepal