[Germanshepherd]

I wonder if Australia could do it this time?

Your only opponent is New Zealand, isn`t it?

When was the last time Australia was in a World Cup?

[Auxodium]

Yes Australia will qualify in Germany in 2006.
Yes the last time was 1974 but the U17, U23, Women teams have qualified for their respective competitions. However the seniors cup is incredibly difficult and Australia have had to climb impossible mountains to even get to go a playoff!! I am glad FIFA has realised that the OFC needs a spot in the world cup.

However it is harsh to write of the socceroos because of the "wish we did it" (1997 anyone?) but we lost 1 game in qualifying and we missed out. That does not make sense, Uruguay lost many games in their qualifying (Iran anyone? They played Japan and lost before playing them) anyway the teams that played the Socceroos lost more games then Australia and qualified. Finally justice has been served and the Socceroos will be there in 2006 New Zealand will not make it because Farina insists that we will field a full squad.

[um_chili]

Originally posted by Glorious_Fan
Yes Australia will qualify in Germany in 2006.
Yes the last time was 1974 but the U17, U23, Women teams have qualified for their respective competitions. However the seniors cup is incredibly difficult and Australia have had to climb impossible mountains to even get to go a playoff!! I am glad FIFA has realised that the OFC needs a spot in the world cup.

However it is harsh to write of the socceroos because of the "wish we did it" (1997 anyone?) but we lost 1 game in qualifying and we missed out. That does not make sense, Uruguay lost many games in their qualifying (Iran anyone? They played Japan and lost before playing them) anyway the teams that played the Socceroos lost more games then Australia and qualified. Finally justice has been served and the Socceroos will be there in 2006 New Zealand will not make it because Farina insists that we will field a full squad.

Agreed that Australia will qualify for the 06 WC. In fact, it's been said that in the 06 Cup automatic qualifying spots have been limited to the host, but that fails to take account of the automatic qualifying spot that was gifted to Australia by FIFA when OFC was given a direct spot.

All due respect to Aussies, they're wonderful sportsmen, but it's simply inaccurate to say that Oz had to climb impossible mountains to get to a playoff for the WC. At least this past year, all the Soccerroos had to do to get to a playoff was compete against other OFC foes. Hardly very challenging when the only other team that's in the FIFA top 100 is New Zealand. A US C-team just beat the Kiwis' top side -- it would be embarrassing if the Aussies couldn't do the same with their best team.

I agree that the Socceroos have had a tough time of it in the past--the home-and-aways to Uruguay, Iran, and Argentina must have been heartbreaking. There's thus a sense of just desserts about Australia's -- I mean OFC's -- direct spot in this year's cup. But in the long term, I hope this changes. The most sensible option would be to put OFC's top two teams (Gee, I wonder who they will be?) in with the AFC qualifiers and let them duke it out. That way Australia isn't forced to inevitably contest a home and away for a spot in the big dance, but we're spared the absurdity of any team qualifying for the World Cup after beating up on the meager competition that is OFC.

[SankaCofie]

yes but australia LOST to them... who cares if Uruguay lost to Brazil a few times. cuz australia could easily beat Brazil right??
i don't think the aussie's deserved a spot. if they can't beat any S.A. american/asian team than why are they so great they deserve a spot?

that being said i'm still glad OFC got one.

i hear vanuatu is on the up... i'd watch out for them come 2006.

[Auxodium]

US-C side beating New Zealand...yes
the Socceroos....NO WAY!! The starting 11 plays in Europe the bench plays in Europe and the reserves are the only members to play in other leagues around the world.

Look every onfederation has a spot and the OFC have been kicked in the face long enough. look America have another half spot to play the AFC.

Australia yes have a rich and deep sporting history but saying a C side can beat an Ausralian A side is completely incorrect. Once again ignorance has set in. The training standards and methods of training is to the highest standard. There is a world out side of America.

OFC deserves this spot. What about the other teams other than Australia and New Zealand? Remember it is the WORLD GAME. To say we didn't have to climb mountains to get to the finals must be in lala land we had our hands tied behind our backs and expected to qualify. I am sure the masterful Crowdie can back me up here.

Yes our C/D side played an NZ A side and lost 1-0, i expected 3-0 loss but we lost by 1 so that was ok. However we should of won but it didn't and sparked the wonderful Crawford Report. (goto www.socceraustralia.com.au) Remember also the USA haven't beaten the Socceroos so that says a lot. Maybe the C side should replace them? But they did play Canada (I am going to cause a war here!) and the Carrabean and the only opposition is Mexico.

We can beat Brazil and we have beated others but we need to do that more often to be more confident. The win against England was a huge confidence booster. Bring on more friendlies

[Stinkey Turner]

I don't think he said anything about a US C side being able to play an Aussie A side off the pitch. Atlesat I didn't read it that way. The Soccerroos with their starting 11 is a great side that can put up a fight against the worlds best.
-Unlike you, I don't think the fact that the US has not beaten the Aussies says anything at all (By that logic, the US is better than England since we beat them 1-0 in a World Cup match, the last meaningfiul game between the two).
Anyway, i think it is about time you guys got a slot, should of been at the expense of UEFA imo though.

[um_chili]

Originally posted by Stinkey Turner
I don't think he said anything about a US C side being able to play an Aussie A side off the pitch. Atlesat I didn't read it that way.

Stinkey is right about this. My point was that the Aussies' only remotely decent OFC competition is New Zealand, and if a US C-team can beat NZ's A-team, then New Zealand doesn't provide much competition at all. Thus beating them and a bunch of minnows is hardly the kind of accomplishment that merits placement in the World Cup. It amounts to an automatic spot for Oz and that's pretty generous for a team ranked 49th in the world.

Now don't get me wrong, I think the previous format was unfair to Oz and that their automatic qualifying spot (looks like we agree that's what it is) makes up for past inequities. But going forward, I don't think ANY team other than host or holder should get an automatic spot, and that certainly includes the Socceroos. Put them and NZ in with AFC, let them prove their worth against some decent competition. If they can get in to the big dance, great--but it should be earned, not gifted.

[csh2000]

I expect Australia will beat out New Zealand for the spot in '06, but it's not a foregone conclusion, as New Zealand is playing in the '03 Confederations Cup as a result of topping Australia in an OFC championship.

I hope the long-term impact of this decison to give OFC direct entry to the World Cup finals is that it encourages New Zealand and other OFC members to invest more in the sport as qualifying for the World Cup is a far more attainable goal now.

[um_chili]

Originally posted by csh2000
I expect Australia will beat out New Zealand for the spot in '06, but it's not a foregone conclusion, as New Zealand is playing in the '03 Confederations Cup as a result of topping Australia in an OFC championship.

But, as our Aussie friend pointed out above, this result came about only when Oz overconfidently fielded a third-rate side in the OFC championship finals against New Zealand's best players--a mistake they're not likely to make with the World Cup on the line.

[SebastianK]

Hell yes Australia will qualify for Deutschland 2006.

The Socceroos are without question the most underrated team in the world. In the past few years having put up two wins over France, a 3-1 Win over England in London in February, And a near Confederations Cup championship in 2001.

I'm glad fifa recognised the OFC. Every other nation gets automatic qualifiers, why doesn't the OFC?.

And I'm sick of these Yanks who invade other countries boards and take subject from whatever the post's subject is to "Can America beat this team?". Quit being so selfish, hell no the Yanks can't beat Australia.