Kuala Lumpur, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Australia for becoming the record sixth AFC side to secure their place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after the Socceroos successfully navigated past Peru 5-4 on penalties as both sides played to a goalless draw after 120 minutes in a riveting FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff on Monday.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Australia for qualifying to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

“At the same time, we should also take a moment to reflect and acknowledge the incredible commitment of all our final 12 Participating Member Associations who had to endure great challenges over the last two-and-a-half years.”

Turning his attention to the global showpiece, which runs from November 21 to December 18, the AFC President added: “The AFC has reiterated that this is indeed Asia’s time and there is no better way to underline this celebration than with the qualification of a record six teams at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in our history.

“The AFC’s Vision and Mission, which coincidentally was launched in Qatar in 2016, outlined our ambitions of ensuring Asian football succeeds on the world’s biggest stages, and now we return to Doha with immense anticipation and great hopes of showcasing the Continent’s undeniable progress.

“I wish all our qualified teams – host nation Qatar, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia along with Australia - the very best of success in their preparations to make Asia proud.

Source: Bahrain News Agency