Be careful what you wish for. Australia's move into FIFA's Asian Football Confederation seven years ago was greeted as a triumph and the best route for the game's development.

Regular meaningful fixtures against regional rivals would make the sport grow in stature and importance. And the change of confederation meant the Socceroos' World Cup fate would no longer be determined by a cut-throat game against worldly wise South Americans such as Uruguay and Argentina.

Captain's run: Lucas Neill at training in Melbourne on Friday. Credit:Getty Images

Fast forward to today, however, and the situation looks rather different. Australia no longer have the bulk of their team playing for big clubs in major leagues (as the team from 2006 did) while Asian countries have improved hugely - to the point where the Socceroos' chances of making it to Brazil 2014 remain on a knife edge with two games to go.

It's hardly a surprise given the levels of investment, and government and media support, football enjoys throughout the region, say those closely involved.