Welcome to Asia - Aussies handed World Cup hope

AFC decides to give the Socceroos the green light to join as an official member

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) yesterday opened the door for Australia to join the body as an official member - enhancing the Socceroos' hopes of qualifying for post-2006 World Cup tournaments.

AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam said the executive committee, which met in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, gave Australia the green light to join the 45-strong Asian governing body - the world's largest confederation.

The move, which must go through a protracted legal process, is one of the most important developments in the AFC's 51-year history, paving the way for Australia to take part in the Asian Cup and for Aussie clubs to compete in the Asian Champions League.

'The AFC executive committee has endorsed the wishes of Australia to join the AFC,' Hammam said. 'I have been authorised to work with the relevant parties to complete the formal membership of the Football Federation of Australia (FFA).'

Australia's entry into the AFC would mean 41/2 World Cup qualifying places available to them instead of the 'half place' given through the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

Australia have failed to reach the World Cup finals since 1974, mainly because of the qualifying system, which requires the OFC winners - almost always Australia - to play off against top teams from other confederations. Over the past years, Australia have stumbled at the final hurdle, losing to teams such as Iran and Uruguay over two legs.