AFC endorse Australia's bid to join Asia

Australia's request to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was given unanimous support by Asia's governing body yesterday.

Australia have already asked soccer's world body FIFA for permission to leave the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in order to make future World Cup qualification easier.

Any move, however, would need to be formally approved by FIFA.

"The AFC executive committee has endorsed the wishes of Australia to join the AFC," AFC president Mohamed Bin Hammam told reporters. "But it has to go through the proper channels."

The "Socceroos" could be eligible to take part in the 2007 Asian Cup in southeast Asia.

"We are very heartened by the news that the (AFC) has endorsed our wishes to join them," said Football Federation of Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy in a statement.

"It is a very positive step and we look forward to meeting the AFC president who arrives in Sydney on Saturday to discuss with us the next steps required for our transfer."

Asia has four automatic spots and a possible fifth via a play-off for next year's World Cup.

At present the Oceania winners, either Australia or the Solomon Islands, receive only half a place through a two-leg play-off against a team from South America.