Soccer: Asia rocks Australia as Kiwis follow lead

New Zealand Soccer (NZS) is keen to follow Australia into the Asian Football Confederation if their traditional rivals jump ship from Oceania.

The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) said last week its withdrawal from Oceania and move into Asia is a done deal with support from both Asia and the world governing body Fifa.

Australia has long eyed joining Asia and even withdrew from Oceania in 1972 believing, wrongly, that it would be accepted into the Asia fold.

NZS chief executive Graham Seatter (pictured below) said that while they would prefer Australia to remain in Oceania they would be interested in joining Asia too.

"I don't think Oceania has served our best interests," Seatter said. "There's really only one nation at a higher level for us to aspire to beat. Take that nation away then all we are is a nation for the islands to aspire to beat. No disrespect to the islands but I don't want to be in a competition for tallest dwarf."

Australia is expected to be invited into Asia at their executive meeting on March 23, while Oceania will meet to discuss the matter on April 15. Fifa, though, will make the final decision meaning Oceania's stance is largely irrelevant and FFA chairman Frank Lowy's fortune and ability to make things happen are attractive to both Fifa and Asia.

Australia's reasons for wanting out of Oceania are the same as why NZS would look to leave - more meaningful fixtures, greater revenue from more high-profile games and more sponsors - even though it would improve New Zealand's chances of qualifying for world tournaments to stay in Oceania.

One possible outcome could see Oceania dissolved and for the 12 Oceania nations to become a fifth sub-group of Asia.

"I don't believe it's in the best interests of football globally for there to be one extremely weak confederation," Seatter added. "Currently Oceania is a very weak confederation that can't even command a World Cup spot in their own right and Australia leaving would make it even weaker.

"I would like Oceania to join Asia and become the fifth subgroup of Asia and participate in Asia for qualifying for major tournaments."

Rumours have often circulated about the formation of a Pacific Rim confederation that would include the Oceania nations and a number of countries from Asia. But this seems unlikely considering it would mean Asia allowing the three richest countries in the region - Japan, China and Korea - to leave the confederation.

Oceania general secretary Tai Nicholas said Oceania had met with Fifa, Asia and Australia and that it would have some tough decisions to make.