The Hindu : AFC to push for additional World Cup berth

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

AFC to push for additional World Cup berth

MARGAO APRIL 29. The Asian Football |Confederation (AFC) will press the world governing body, FIFA for an additional berth for Asia in the 2006 World Cup.

AFC's secretary general, Mr. Peter Velappan told newsmen on Saturday evening that the Asian body would vigorously pursue its claim for a fifth World Cup berth for Asia since it deserved a bigger representation than what has been given.

He said it was rather unfortunate that Asia could not capitalise on a play-off that was offered this time in the wake of acrimony and an AFC walkout in support of its demand for an extra Asian berth.

He said Asia constituted nearly 61 per cent of the world's population and provided the biggest TV audiences for the event world over. Besides, he pointed out, some of the big FIFA sponsors have been Asian.

This being the case, Mr. Velappan said, AFC had every reason to seek an extra place. He said it is imperative that the Asian teams do well in Japan and South Korea to strengthen its case.

With 53 per cent of the Asian population being women, he felt confident that the future of women's football lies in Asia. He said China has already proved its mettle by finishing second to the United States in the World Cup.

Mr. Velappan admitted that there were huge disparities in the quality of the teams presently taking part in the first Asian Women's Under-19 Championship here. He said AFC is contemplating an idea of seeding the top teams into the semifinals and involving the others in preliminaries.

He said the technical committee of the AFC would go into remodelling of this event. He said AFC would extend all possible help to Japan and Taipei as qualifiers to the world cup.

He also informed high-level training and practice has been planned for these two sides in Europe. On the possible floating of women's league in AFC member countries, Mr. Velappan said the issue is under consideration and quite a few members have already expressed their willingness to create dynamic leagues, foremost being South Korea, which will take up the cause immediately after the World Cup in Japan.

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