OFC Direct Qualification For World Cup
Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2002 2:52 pm
It has been announced that this will go ahead for the 2006 tournament to be held in Germany. As an Australian Soccer fan I am cheering. It is hoped that Australia will not choke again (this time against New Zealand) and progress through.
I hope this is retained. Looking at world rankings, Oceania does not deserve this (Aust. 47, NZ 48, then 100 spots to the next nation). It is more an administrative move to globalise the game, which is a good idea. And as a Socceroos fan, I am not complaining. But it looks like Australia will be a shoe in for every tournament.
Hopefully the Socceroos and the All Whites (New Zealand) can strengthen their squads in the coming years so that Oceania is more deserving of a spot and so that it becomes a real contest.
The Australian venue will be another tussle between the MCG and Telstra Stadium. Will the MCG be finished in time for the qualifiers (late 2005)? If not (I hope not) it will definitely go to Telstra Stadium. If it is, it will be a close call. But if the Vics follow the precedent that they have in the past (mega subsididing of the event to a cash strapped Soccer Australia) then I will have to make the trip South.
I hope this is retained. Looking at world rankings, Oceania does not deserve this (Aust. 47, NZ 48, then 100 spots to the next nation). It is more an administrative move to globalise the game, which is a good idea. And as a Socceroos fan, I am not complaining. But it looks like Australia will be a shoe in for every tournament.
Hopefully the Socceroos and the All Whites (New Zealand) can strengthen their squads in the coming years so that Oceania is more deserving of a spot and so that it becomes a real contest.
The Australian venue will be another tussle between the MCG and Telstra Stadium. Will the MCG be finished in time for the qualifiers (late 2005)? If not (I hope not) it will definitely go to Telstra Stadium. If it is, it will be a close call. But if the Vics follow the precedent that they have in the past (mega subsididing of the event to a cash strapped Soccer Australia) then I will have to make the trip South.