DOHA (AFP) – Australia's switch from Oceania to Asia has been a huge positive for the Socceroos, who have finally earned respect, according to captain Lucas Neill and veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Australia defected to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in early 2006 to help improve standards and give them a fairer chance of qualifying for World Cups.
It has also allowed domestic A-League teams access to the lucrative AFC Champions League.
Neill believes they are now reaping the full benefits both on and off the pitch.
"We're definitely taken a lot more seriously," said the Galatasaray defender.
"Your coach wouldn't want to release you to play Samoa and then realise you've beaten them 7-0 or 12-0 but now we're playing in games where scouts from all over the world are coming to try and pick talent.
"There's a lot of respect to be had from playing in a tournament like the Asian Cup and playing against opposition like this all the time.
"There is a lot of credibility but it also gives us the opportunity to enter tournaments and host tournaments so it's great for us for raising the bar in our country and as a player."
Since the switch, Australia have regularly been in the top 30 in the FIFA world ranking, playing at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
"It's seen us go up the rankings, seen us go into another World Cup," added Neill.
"It's given us a good lesson in the last Asian Cup and here we are now about to play in our first semi-final in a massive confederation where two thirds of the world are."
Australia face Uzbekistan in the Asian Cup semi-finals in Doha later on Tuesday, with the chance of a first major trophy only two games away.
Schwarzer, who makes his 87th appearance for the Socceroos against Uzbekistan, equalling Alex Tobin's caps record, said there was no question that Australia had improved dramatically since joining the AFC.
"It?s been a must for Australian football to be involved in Asian football and it's been brilliant for us. We've qualified by right for the World Cup and we have deserved to qualify," said the Fulham keeper.
"Being in Asia has lifted our standard as a national team. We have to play at our best all the time.
"Since we have joined Asia and been the number one ranked team we have always had the pressure of, wherever we play or whenever we play, the other team has always seen it as a cup final.
"They are always out to knock us off that perch, which is only natural. I like that situation.
"I like to be under pressure and that we have to perform in every game and that everybody?s on their toes and not taking anything for granted."
Source: Yahoo News
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