Soccer-Australia made right call to join Asian confederation, says coach Arnold

Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Group B - Australia v India - Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar - January 13, 2024 Australia coach Graham Arnold before the match REUTERS/Molly Darlington/File Photo

DOHA (Reuters) - Australia made the right move to leave the Oceania confederation and join the Asian confederation (AFC) in 2006 as the level of competition in the continent has helped the Socceroos improve as a team, coach Graham Arnold said on Wednesday.

Australia had been with the Oceania Football Confederation for nearly four decades but made the switch in 2006 and played their first Asian Cup in 2007.