N.Z., Australia ‘not welcome’

Press, 15 December 1983, Page 44

N.Z., Australia ‘not welcome’

NZPA-AAP Singapore Asian football leaders said yesterday that New Zealand and Australia were not welcome in the region as World Cup or Olympic contenders. “We are not interested in the Oceania teams unless there is a change of rules by F.1.F.A., the world body,” said Tan Sri Hamzah Abu Samah, the president of the Asian Football Confederation. He was speaking after the official opening in Singapore yesterday of the second seminar for general secretaries of the A.F.C. which is being attended by delegates

from 30 countries. “the physical strength of players from Australia and New Zealand is a big disadvantage to the lighter Asians. We may have skills, but our smaller build is a big problem,” he said. “For the first time Asia will have two places in the finals of the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, with one representative coming from the Middle East and the other from the Far East. “If F.I.F.A. would consider granting three places to this region, we would bring Oceania teams into the confederation, with the exception of Israel.” F.I.F.A. decided last week

that Oceania would consist of Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Israel for the 1986 World Cup, with the winner to play the thirteenth team from Europe. “Oceania seetns to have become the dumping ground for unwanted nations, as the Australian (Soccer Federation) president, Sir Arthur George, said,” pointed out Tan Sri Hamzah. “National and club teams from Australia and New Zealand will always be welcome and invited to the Asian zone tournaments because we need the experience against the bigger European-style teams. “Bst after the present

Olympic qualifying series involving New Zealand, teams from Oceania will have to look elsewhere. However, we would have no objections to proposals to expand Oceania by including countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines, providing they are infprpcfprl ” For the 1990 World Cup campaign, the Oceania winner will be forced to play off against a South American team and Tan Sri Hamzah suggested Australia and New Zealand could look at linking with the South American confederations. The seminar announced the appointment of /Peter

Veleppan of Malaysia as the first full-time general secretary of the A.F.C. from this month to help maintain Asian unity and solidarity. “Oceania is an issue which should be taken up by F.I.F.A. and it is up to the Australian and New Zealand football leaders to work on plans to develop the area,” said Mr Veleppan. “Asian teams are still trying to catch up with European and South American standards but we now have members from 35 national associations to give us strength. This seminar will be held every two years to exchange views and discuss common problems.”