TOKYO, June 26: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), boosted by South Korea’s surprise progress to the World Cup semi-finals, has repeated its demand for the continent to be given five places in the 2006 finals in Germany.

AFC general secretary Peter Velappan, pointing to Korea’s feat plus Japan’s progress to the second round, said on Wednesday his organisation would ask world governing body FIFA after Sunday’s final to raise the number of guaranteed places for Asia.

In addition to co-hosts South Korea and Japan, both China and Saudia Arabia also qualified for this year’s finals from Asia.

The continent also had the chance of a another spot through a playoff with a European team but Iran lost out to Ireland.

“China and Saudi Arabia were unfortunate (at this year’s finals). Asia’s spots will have to be increased, considering the population and television viewers on the continent,” he said.—Reuters