Oceania World Cup Snub
Front page of the paper today (a serious one too, The Australian, no comics) has the story of how FIFA, the world governing body for soccer has decided (22-1) to go back on the promise of giving the Oceania region an automatic qualifying spot in the 2006 World Cup.
Since Australia is the dominant team, a guaranteed spot for Oceania would have meant qualification was a done deal. This back room shenanigans by FIFA is a real kick in the teeth for Soccer Australia. It’s rough on the players considering their recent performances.
Having said all that, I think FIFA was stupid to promise that spot in the first place. Oceania is not a strong enough group to justify an automatic spot. You’ve got Australia, then a whole lotta daylight to New Zealand, and then a whole lot more to the rest, mostly Pacific Island nations who can’t afford their own team jerseys. You can see why Australia is pissed and FIFA behaved badly, but let’s be realistic, shall we?
I agreed with the editorial comment in the paper today that Australia needs to look forward and join the Asia qualifying group. They’ve been given more slots thanks to Japan and Korea’s emergence and a decent Australian side should be able to compete.
Time to stop whinging and get on with the job, I reckon.
By Chris | Permalink
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Yeah, Blatter got in office due to the support he received from the Oceania group during his campaign. In return for their vote, he promised an Oceania place in the World Cup. He abstained from the landslide vote, just so he could cover his arse. Bloody awful, and disgraceful for the game. Worse, I think, than even the IOC crap that goes on.
I think that FIFA and Blatter are a bunch of
heads. we are the only continent that doesnt have a direct spot to the world cup.
Any country who stoped australia from qualifing for previous world cup like North Korea, Israel, Scotland, New Zealand, Argentina, Iran and Urugary
well those countres are are bunch of fuck heads anyone from those countries are also fuckwits and they must never set foot on my country ever again.
COMEON fifa GIVE US BACK OUR DIRECT SPOT TO THE WORLD CUP.
YOUR A FUCKWIT SEPP BLATER AND FIFA
Nice constructive argument, Martin. I’m sure if ol’ Sepp could read this he’d change his mind on the spot. And the implied rascism was a nice touch too.
Oceania does not deserve its own spot in the World Cup. What we do deserve is a fairer and more consistent path in qualifying. Let us play off against the Asian group, not 5th place South Americans.
yes it does othwerwise u cant call the football world cup the world cup without a represent from ociania.
we have already played off with iran. Iran is part of asia what about having a play off with an african country
There’s no incentive for Australia to get better if we qualify for every single World Cup with a second string team. Who would challenge us? New Zealand? I don’t think so. Fiji? We beat them 32-0 didn’t we? And we had to give them jerseys.
No, Oceania does not deserve it’s own spot. It just needs a fairer and consistent path in qualifying. We should have beaten Iran last time. That is our own fault. And when we do finally qualify we’ll have a case to actually host a World Cup, which will help the game no end in this country.
we got in 1974 world cup that means we can host it in the future
You’re only as good as your last performance and we haven’t qualified. In ‘74 the game was different so there’s no way you could lobby to host the WC based on a performance 30 years ago.
we had a draw and we got 1 point in the pelemanaries but we didnt score a goal
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Welcome to the world of Sepp Blatter.This guy is made from the same mould as Juan Antonio Samaranch and Joao Havelange,guys who lie,cheat, steal and completely abuse their position, and will do any deal to stay in the job.
I agree though that Australia should join with the Asian qualifying group or at least playoff against a team from there.
Getting stuck with a playoff with a South American team is a bit unfair.