Soccer: Whatever happens, Oceania are in for the long haul

By TERRY MADDAFORD AND NZPA

Oceania's participation will be secure after the 2006 World Cup in Germany regardless of how the region's representative fares at the next global soccer showcase.

Oceania Football Confederation president Basil Scarscella said yesterday the nation that competed had to perform well, but the region's berth - confirmed in Madrid by the sport's governing body Fifa - would not be compromised if the team flopped.

"It's an indefinite decision."

The landmark decision ensures that the OFC now has direct entry into all Fifa-hosted tournaments, 32 years after New Zealand first played a World Cup qualifier.

Honorary Oceania president and honorary Fifa member Charlie Dempsey, woken in Auckland with a phone call from Madrid at 2am yesterday, said: "It's wonderful. We have battled for years. It's a great incentive for all Oceania countries."

Dempsey said there were already proposals for the 11 Oceania nations to play in two qualifying groups. The top two in each would play home and away in a four-team round-robin to find a winner.

For 81-year-old Dempsey, the decision was the culmination of years of hard work. "We had an inaugural meeting in Brisbane in 1966 to explore the possibility of creating a sixth confederation. It's been a long battle."

Although he welcomed the news, Dempsey said it was still not the highlight of his long administrative career.

"The greatest for me was Singapore [when New Zealand beat China 2-1 to qualify for the 1982 World Cup].

"Getting full confederation status [in 1996] was another highlight.

"Now this ... it was the last hurdle.

"It means more money, not only for the country who qualifies, but Oceania as well."

Since the World Cup champions are no longer guaranteed automatic entry into the next finals, Oceania have virtually picked up that place in the 32-team tournament.

In announcing the allocation of places for the finals in Germany in 2006, Fifa's executive has also given Concacaf (North/Central America) an extra half-place.

Their fourth-placed team will play off with Asia's fifth-best for the last place. Asia have four guaranteed places, the same number as in this year's World Cup, and Concacaf have three guaranteed places.

South America have lost the half-place they shared with Oceania. Europe have 14 places (including Germany as hosts), South America four, Africa five and Oceania one.

The first qualifying games are scheduled for February 28, 2004. In welcoming the news, New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan accepted there would be extra pressure on the All Whites to perform at next year's Confederations Cup in France.

"New Zealand will be the first Oceania team to play at a major Fifa tournament since this decision," he said. "All eyes will be on us."

MacGowan said an Oceania executive meeting in February should discuss the World Cup, with particular interest on the qualifying process.

"I don't really see a full home-and-away series as a viable option. That would take 18 months and would be a huge financial drain.

"We would be happier playing two tournaments, with the top four teams then playing home and away. We will have to look to Oceania for some [assistance] with the home and away games.

"Above all, we have to work to ensure it doesn't become a charity case for Australia. The arrogance of some of their media is unbelievable. You only have to look back at this year's Nations Cup when they came here with a B or C team, got beaten and bleated."