FIFA agrees to let Australia move to Asian Confederation

Frankfurt:

FIFA decided on Wednesday to let Australia switch from Oceania to the Asian soccer confederation. The Socceroos, who lost all three games at the Confederations Cup, called for the switch to improve their chances of reaching the World Cup. There were no objections to the switch from either confederation and the move was expected even though not until the FIFA Congress at Marrakech, Morocco, Sept 12. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the executive committee ratified the move at its meeting on Wednesday and didn't need the approval of Congress. Although they comfortably win the Oceania qualifying rounds, the Socceroos usually have to play a tough team from either Asia or South America in a playoff to reach the finals and haven't managed to get their since 1974. By moving to Asia, Australia believes it has a better chance of gaining one of the AFC's four automatic spots among the 32 World Cup teams. The news came on the day that Frank Farina quit as the Socceroos' coach after a poor series of results. Australia lost to powerhouse teams Germany (4-3) and Argentina (4-2) before tumbling to Tunisia 2-0 at the Confederations Cup. Although John Aloisi scored four times, Farina admitted that the Australian defense performed badly. (AP)