The Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy told reporters that the qualification would give Australia a"fantastic entry card" to join the AFC.

"We will go there with credibility on the field and they'll be proud to have us,"he said.

He added that AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam had extended congratulations to the Socceroos which beat Uruguay 4-2 on penalties after extra time in a dramatic contest at Sydney to qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years.

Australia switched to the AFC after years of frustration at not having a direct route to the World Cup finals as part of the Oceania confederation. Enditem