Why cant Oceania and Asia be one happy family

Why cant Oceania and Asia be one happy family

Its frustrating that our geographic position is so incredibly damaging to our football. Is it not possible to merge the two federations? Has it ever been raised? Australia are now in the Asian confederation and if they are why arent we? How are we expected to improve playing islands that will disappear when global warmiing really starts to kick in, its not worth our effort.

The Fenix is one of the only ways we can get that regular attention, like a needy child the A-League has become our guardianBlack Plague2007-05-31 10:47:56

I think the idea has been mooted, and because it would lead to such a huge federation the talk was to have an East Asia and a West Asia grouping system. I think it should seriously be looked at because Oceania is just too small to be taken seriously.

yeah for sure, it would benefit us more flying to uzbekistan and playing all the central asian countries than flying to Tahiti. It really needs to be addressed. Needs to be more than mooted huh haha East and West would work better than just dumping us with all the atolls. Our ranking reflects our geographical position. HWn you look at the ranking some countries that dont even have a functioning economy are in the top 30 or so, its ridiculous.

I mean its pretty demoralising if you look at the population makeups of all the confederations, we are non-existent.

agree with black plaque it has been demoralising

Is it as demoralizing as being on 1009 posts but still only being a Veteran?

if Oceania and Asia were to merge they should have a two teir set up.

there are quite a few asian nations who dont waste their time playing the big ones in the region yet, if they were to play against a country who they feel they will be competitive against (eg Samoa) they may contribute.


the top 2 teams (just an example) from the bottom teir could then be promoted to the top teir (or play in the knockout section).


it would help further the growth of the game (good for FIFA) and also provide fair competition which is good for all.

Imagine the politics of making it work, would it be worth the gains for the smaller countries?

The Oceania and Asia are basically already merged. Oceania plays there qualifiers and then play against the 5th place asian team. If they did merge properly, they would still prob have an oceania qualifiers tournement to see who will go into the asian qualifiers. would they really want to let 2 teams in for the Asian qualifiers. I think it would be great to see a new zealand and a fiji playing some of these asian nations. Fiji would have half a chance against the like of Malaysia etc. It would give the island nations something to play for.

Solomon Islands are a better bet.

i think it would not only be worthwhile for the smaller nations, but the global game.

any changes which increase participation is good for the game. also, the games would add revenue to the nations which may help them further strengthen

Sounds great. It would be good to have the AW's playing regular games in NZ against quality opponents - even if it was a domestic based team.

Sorted!!!

I assume we email sblatter@fifa.com?? 

just send an email pointing them to this thread, that way they get the perspective of the peoples

Well seven or eight of them anyway.

it could be enough to make them think...dont underestimate the power of the few.

I think in 82 and possibly earlier we were part of Asia - Our qualifying group then included Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia I think.

I like the idea of the sub federation type qualifying letting the weaker teams play each other more and the stronger teams coming in later on in the picture. Easily have sub groups of Oceania, se asia, south asia, middle east. Bring the big guns (based on world rankings) in later so you don't get 14nil scorelines.

Can NZS afford to financially convince Asia that they are worthy themselves, let alone the Pacific Islanders? Looks to me like only FIFA can do something about it.

All it would take is get the smaller nations within the Asian confederation on side and there ya go...if enough make noise it'll be discussed.


also, i have a feeling that if we could get one or two of the power nations in Asia to support the idea it would further gather support of the remaining people concerned.


Remember, this wouldnt be a one way street for benifits. if Asia/Oceania becomes powerful enough then they could earn 5.5 qualifying places, which=more money
gings2007-06-14 22:30:22

We need to somehow get NZ within the Asian zone set up (whether via merging the two Federations or a NZ defection from Oceania). That is the only way we are going to get regular quality international football that matters (in form of Asian Cup and World Cup qualifying series), the only way we bring the likes of Nelsen back to play football on a regular basis and the only way we can really lift the All Whites profile and get the public interested in international football. World Cup qualifiers against the likes of Australia and Japan, with all our best players back on deck would attract excellent crowds and generate plenty of interest. It would give us something to get excited about - rather than 1 or 2 meaningful games every four years surrounded by a bunch of irrelevant friendlies that nobody wants to put in front of their own club football.

i dont think Asia would accept just us without some major begging from our end...and if they did our island cousins would be coming with us...FIFA wouldnt leave them behind.


hopefully common sense will prevail and there'll be one big happy confederation that involves the whole Asia-Pacific region in some way.

The sub - Oceana category could be that we join Asia as Australia have.

I don't know why we 'expect' to be part of this Asia group while our other Oceanic friends are left to battle it out among themselves to win the right to enter Asian qualifying. The day hasn't come yet when NZ are so powerful in our current company that we can expect special treatment in this way.

disco_mart2007-06-21 07:22:13