And Oceania general-secretary Tai Nicholas admits a move en masse would "solve a whole lot of problems".

New Zealand Soccer (NZS) boss Graham Seatter is to step up overtures to Asia now Australia looks set to cut ties with Oceania and join Asia next year with the blessing of FIFA, the sport's world governing body.

Asia is reportedly poised to officially invite Australia into its 45-member confederation on April 23, before a final decision is expected from the world governing body in June.

Seatter's goal is for New Zealand to join Asia by 2007 before the qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup is made.

He said discussions with Asia are "on-going".

"We've wanted to do this for some time so it's a bit galling Australia looks to have made it and we're still talking about it," said Seatter.

"We need to start playing the political influencing game.

"Australia have done it through resources and influence where they can box in a different division to us ... they've got a few billionaires on their board for example which always helps when you're dealing with FIFA."

Seatter dismissed suggestions New Zealand should wave Australia goodbye and attempt to reap all the rights Oceania would apparently retain, including direct entry to all FIFA tournaments ? apart from the World Cup ? and the Olympic Games.

New Zealand needs to play in Asia to attract "meaningful" and revenue-rich games, he said.

Remaining in an even weaker Oceania confederation is a no-win situation.

"If it's a good idea to stay then why is Australia going? They're going because their game hasn't developed in Oceania," he said.

Seatter's vision is for Australia and New Zealand to become the 46th and 47th countries affiliated to Asia as it would give the confederation eight groups of six teams for World Cup qualifying.

"That would give you five home and five away games. You'd have weak teams like the Maldives but you might also get Japan and Saudi Arabia."

Oceania will discuss the issue at its April 16 executive meeting in New Caledonia.

Nicholas agreed there were benefits in Oceania being swallowed up by Asia.

"It'd solve the direct World Cup qualifying issue, get us better games for the top Oceania nations and more money poured into development for the bottom countries," he said.

from Fox Sports