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Australia World Cup breakthrough a major boost for Asian football
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-18 00:31
Australia's heart-stopping qualification for the World Cup after a 32-year
wait provided a major boost for Asian football and offset the disappointment of
Bahrain blowing their chance to play in Germany.
The Australian
Socceroos celebrate Marco Bresciano's goal during the FIFA World Cup
qualifier at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Australia's heart-stopping
qualification for the World Cup after a 32-year wait provided a major
boost for Asian football and offset the disappointment of Bahrain blowing
their chance to play in Germany. [AFP] |
The Australians' dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win over Uruguay in Sydney
sparked delirious celebrations down under and gave the region five
representatives at the showcase tournament next year.
They join South Korea, Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, with the mouthwatering
prospect of an Asian team repeating the exciting run to the semi-finals of South
Korea at the last World Cup in 2002.
Dutch maestro Guus Hiddink was the coach of South Korea then and with him now
at the helm of Australia no-one is ruling out another stroke of magic from the
master tactician.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohammed Bin Hammam was
delighted that Australia finally ended their jinx and has high hopes for the
region's contingent in Germany.
"With Australia's qualification, we are very optimistic that our teams will
produce a much better performance in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany," he
told AFP.
"The world will be able to witness Asian teams perform competitively in big
competitions.
"Hopefully, this win over Uruguay will allow people to
see that we have the potential to excel and with this, increase football
popularity in Asia to a level like those in South America and naturally,
Europe."
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