Australia joined the ASEAN Football Federation, also referred to as the AFF, back in 2013.
But the Socceroos have yet to compete in the region’s biggest tournament.
With a population of over 650 million, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the largest sub-continents of Asia, and, in fact, the world. With the only other group of nations larger being within Asia: South Asia (which includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) and East Asia (which includes China, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong).
Since 2013, there have been three tournaments that have come and gone: 2014, 2016, and, most recently, 2018. Thailand were crowned champions in 2014 after a smooth 2–0 win in game one against neighbours Malaysia, followed by a 2–3 defeat, 4–3 on aggregate. Two years later, Thailand followed there successful 2014 campaign defeating Indonesia 3–2 on aggregate.
The AFF saw a shakeup in the 2018 tournament, however. Two groups of five, which meant the group winners and group runners-up would reach the knockout stage.
Five-time winners Thailand were knocked out in the semi-finals by Malaysia on away goals while Vietnam, the eventual champions, who hadn’t been to the final since their first victory in 2008, had only conceded two goals all tournament.
Perhaps the question can be answered simply as: Australia is just too arrogant and playing in a tournament like this would do more harm than good.
The South-East Asian region is one of the most densely populated parts of the world. Indonesia has the fourth largest population on the globe and Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand aren’t far behind.
This region is also one of the most competitive. In the 2018 tournament, ten teams participated. Four of them were previously crowned winners, and an additional three had gone as far as the semi-finals. The same could not be said of other sub-continental tournaments around the world.
From an Australian viewpoint, I would prefer to see the Socceroos play in a minor tournament and lose than not participate and have a higher FIFA ranking.
(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
For Australia, youth is an ever-struggling creation. The Socceroos have created some great talent over the years, especially in recent ones. But in a domestic league that only consists of nine teams, with only two of them outside the major cities and only being one of three countries to still not have promotion and relegation, it’s only going to be an uphill battle.
Which makes for a great argument for Australia to join such a tournament. Much of Australia’s youth barely plays in the domestic league, let alone internationally for their country. That was also one of Australia’s strategies at the EAFF Championship in 2013 when Australia finished fourth and had young players like Tomi Juric, Aaron Mooy and Trent Sainsbury in the squad.
With the newly created AFF–EAFF Champions Trophy, which appears to be a mini Asian Cup within the AFC, Australia’s shortly-awaited self-exclusion will surely end soon.
Matsu
Roar Rookie
Although I think it was true in years past, Im pretty sure that the EAFC tournament is now considered a "B" level competition by FIFA. Therefore it would not affect Australia's ranking to take part. FWIW, S.Korea and Japan use the tournament to develop U-23 (or even U-20) players, and the result has been generally positive. Whether the East Asian Cup or AFF Cup, I think Australia would benefit from participation.
Footballzs
Roar Rookie
The Matildas do particpate but only send an under 20 team. A senior Matildas team would be too strong for an AFF women's competition.
Ad-O
Guest
That's all well and good but none of those nations have any real history in the game. Futhermore, if the FFA thought they could make a dollar out of it the Socceroos would be there. Considering that, they've probably decided against inflaming relations with clubs in order to lose money sending a team to a tournament with limited prestige. I cant blame them really.
paul
Guest
The Gulf Arabs know how to play the power games better. Dare I say they also use their religion to get other member states onside, something that the Buddhist/Taoist/Shinto East Asian nations cannot do.
paul
Guest
Remember when Australia participated in the EAFF tournament in 2013? Australia couldn't field a full-strength line-up and even players in the J-League were barred by their clubs despite J-League clubs releasing players for the Blue Samurai. Australia suffered two defeats and a draw and slipped in the FIFA rankings as a result - FIFA rankings don't take into account whether a full-strength side was available. I doubt the senior Socceroos will take part in an AFF tournament anytime soon. However, it is good for our youth teams (both genders) and possibly our Matildas to take part in such events.
Glen
Guest
Would like to see Australia play in this but I'm not sure we are actually wanted by the other nations. This is one of their only chances for some proper silverware. Setting aside ASEAN for a while, does East Asia have any clout at all? Why are the heads of AFC always from West Asia. Would love to see a split. Until then good luck seeing East Asia, let alone ASEAN have any influence over the questionable interests of the West Asian nations.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Also, let's not forget that Australia won the Merlion Cup twice in the 1980s, and for over three decades this was our greatest achievement in soccer.
Ryan
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree with you more. The AFC and FIFA are definitely keeping an eye on ASEAN. The idea of a sub-continental football tournament makes a lot of sense when factoring in population size, marketing/sponsoring/broadcasting rights and footballing prospects. The ASEAN nations have already seen the benefit of an expanded Asian Cup, who have four, including Australia, participating in the event.
Nick Symonds
Guest
ASEAN + AUSTRALIA To start with population size, if ASEAN both included Australia and was also a nation, it would have the third largest population in the world after China and India with 664 million people, twice that of the United States. It would dwarf Russia and Japan with 144 and 126 million respectively and would even be bigger than the EU with 512 million people and South America with 420 million. Economically it would be the world’s 4th largest economy with a combined GDP of US$4.2 trillion, just a tad larger than Russia with US$4.15 trillion and rapidly gaining on Japan with US$4.8 trillion and would be well ahead of India’s GDP of US$2.6 trillion. It would also be larger than the economy of South America at US$3.9 trillion and would be twice the size of both South Korea and Africa which are worth 2.02 and 2.1 trillion respectively. The combined defence budget of ASEAN including Australia would come to around US$64 billion making it the world’s 4th largest after the US, China and Russia, while India currently has a defence budget of US$56 billion. So, this is a region with a population twice the size of America and larger than the EU or South America, it has one of the world’s top 5 largest economies and if Australia was included it would have the world’s fourth largest defence budget. All of that makes ASEAN of immense interest to Australia's future and football could be a part of Australia's efforts to engage with the South East Asian region diplomatically. Some problems like releasing players for a "minor" tournament might make joining the AFF Championship impractical; but in principal we shouldn't be "too arrogant" to ignore the tournament all together.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Maybe OFC nations should join the AFF Championship. It would be no different from CONMEBOL inviting nations from other confederations to join the Copa América to make up the numbers; and it would give them experience and exposure against bigger opponents.
EJ
Roar Pro
also while possibly using it as a way to develop youth, the under 20s play in the AFF under 19 competition, so the FFA most likely think that this is the way to develop youths
EJ
Roar Pro
while I would like to see Australia play in a minor competition, there is no way clubs like Celtic or Huddersfield will let Mooy or Rogic play in a minor tournament, while looking at when this competition is played, its played during november and december, the start of the A-League, so unfortunately i don't see Australia playing in a comp like this any time soon