Football Federation Australia (FFA) officials have recently expressed a desire to play in the region’s big biennial bash and Football Association of Thailand president Somyot Poompanmoung believes it is a good idea.
“I think Australia playing would be a good thing for the tournament as it could take it to the next level,” Somyot told The World Game.
“Australia are a strong team and if they played in the tournament then the standard would be higher. That would be good for Thailand.”
Australia have been a member of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) since 2013 but have yet to participate in Southeast Asia’s biennial bash, which was last won by Vietnam in December.
Mark Falvo, FFA’s head of international relations attended the final in Hanoi and told The World Game that the FFA is stepping up efforts to participate in what is a hugely popular tournament in the region of 700 million people.
While Thailand, the most successful national team in the competition’s 23 year history with five titles, would likely be on board, it remains to be seen however if all of the other ten member nations of the AFF would give the green light to Australia’s entry.
The World Game understands that there are doubts among some of the smaller countries about admitting a strong new rival on the pitch.
In addition, there were some complaints about the amount of travel necessary during the 2018 tournament held inside Southeast Asia, leading to concerns about the possible demands that would be placed on teams if they had to travel outside the region.
“Thailand and Australia have a good relationship but if Australia want to join in 2020 then all AFF members have to agree and that is a different question," Somyot said.
"We would need to have many discussions."
It remains to be seen however if there is anything to discuss when the AFF next gets together. There have not yet, according to the Thai president, been any moves by Australia.
“I am friendly with the AFF president but he has not talked to me about this yet. I only know what I have read in the media but it would be good to upgrade the tournament.”
