Soccer

» SimonMelville - Australia

The Aussies do get to play a better standard of team regularly in Asia but just as importantly they know Asia will have four guaranteed places at the World Cup and they see the calibre of sides that qualify and know that they can do as well.

I wonder how keen they would have been to move to Asia if that bloc only got two qualifying places, for example? Or if South America offered them a slot?

It's definitely the right decision for the Aussies to move because the national side and clubs can play decent opposition in competitive games more often. What will make the difference is if they can strengthen their domestic league by getting more kids involved -- the way Rugby Union is managed in the Southern Hemisphere I can see soccer overtaking that sport in the near future -- especially if Australia have a decent World Cup (score a few goals, get a win against Japan).

As for that match up, I'd expect Japan to win at home against the Aussies, but Sydney would be a difficult place for any team to go to. Looking purely at the game on 12th June in Kaiserslautern, I think the Socceroos have a good chance -- more European-based players and that can make a difference.

-- posted by SimonMelville