Soccer: Road to Asia evokes class of '82

The All Whites' chances of replicating 1982 and qualifying for the World Cup finals could become easier if a Fifa plan is approved.

At present, New Zealand need to win the Oceania qualifying group and then face the fifth-best team from South America in a home-and-away playoff to take their place among the 32 teams at the World Cup.

But Fifa president Sepp Blatter has proposed, in a move supported by both New Zealand Soccer (NZS) and Oceania, that the Oceania qualifier joins in a 10-team series in Asia to find five qualifiers. The plan would support two groups of five, with the top two qualifiers winning through automatically, while the two third-placed finishers would play for the fifth spot.

"It's got a long way to go before it becomes a reality but, from our point of view, it is a very appealing prospect," NZS chief executive Graham Seatter said.

"The fact that Fifa is suggesting it is positive."

The plan will be put to the Fifa executive on March 16 and decided by the end of the year, considering qualifying for the 2010 World Cup begins next year.

Until last year, when Australia beat Uruguay to earn a spot for the 2006 finals in Germany, the Aussies - as regular Oceania qualifiers - struggled to overcome the powerful South American sides in playoffs.

When the All Whites famously qualified in 1982, they did it through Asia.

The proposal must be approved by the Asian confederation, which currently has four-and-a-half spots, but they could be expected to support the move as it would add Oceania's half place and guarantee five spots to the World Cup.

Last year, Bahrain slipped up at the final hurdle when they were beaten by Trinidad and Tobago, and Asia would look favourably on a playoff series rather than a two-game playoff.

It would be ironic considering Australia withdrew from Oceania to join Asia in an effort to play in more competitive games and improve their chances of consistently winning through to the World Cup.

It might also be the first step in Oceania becoming a sub-group of Asia, a move also supported by NZS and Oceania.

Following Australia's withdrawal, Oceania's future is less secure, with Fifa giving the confederation four years to prove it should remain as one of the world's six confederations.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY