Blatter backs Socceroos to lift Asia
FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes Australian soccers move into Asia could spur the region out of its World Cup slump.
Australia qualified for the finals from its old Oceania Confederation but played in Germany as a member of the more competitive Asian Confederation.
The Socceroos were the only Asian side to move beyond the first round of the finals, with Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australias group F rival and Asian champion Japan all eliminated.
Blatter said the performance of the Asian nations was a concern.The other four Asian teams all kicked out in the first round, it is a big, big difference, Blatter told SBS television.
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Australian football now part of Asia
Australia has officially become a member of the Asian Football Confederation.
After a year in which Football Federation Australia successfully launched the A-League and the Socceroos claimed their first berth in the World Cup in 32 years, the FFA completed the third of its three main objectives when it left Oceania and was officially welcomed into the AFC at midnight.
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Despite some optimism a month ago that the Socceroos would be able to field a very strong line-up, an overseas source confirmed yesterday that the players will be forced to stay with their clubs when the cup qualifiers are being played.
"The players have
