World Cup draw - for 2014

[midfielder]

Socceroos WC draw announced

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/07/31/socceroos-world-cup-draw-announced/#comment-639124

Socceroos’ World Cup draw announced
The Socceroos have been drawn in a group containing Saudi Arabia, Oman and Thailand at the World Cup 2014 qualifying draw in Rio.

The top two nations from each of the five groups, that were announced on Saturday, will go through to the next round.

At that stage, the 10 surviving teams will be split into two groups, with the leading two nations in each progressing to the finals in Brazil.

The two third-placed teams will playoff for the right to contest the intercontinental playoff against the fifth-placed nation in South American qualifying.

Reigning Asian champions Japan and North Korea came out together in qualifying.

Japan, who reached the last 16 at South Africa 2010 before losing on penalties to Paraguay, will be the team to beat in Group C.

However, the nation coached by Italian Alberto Zaccheroni will be wary of North Korea, who also went to last year’s finals, running Brazil close on the way to a first-round exit.

Their tournament suffered a low point when they were thumped 7-0 by Portugal.

The duo will be strongly fancied to advance from Group C, which also contains Uzbekistan and Syria.

South Korea, who also reached the last 16 in South Africa, and who were semi-finalists on home soil in 2002, are in Group B alongside the Middle Eastern trio of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Lebanon.

China are in Group A with Jordan, Iraq and Singapore, while much of the attention will be focused on Group E.

Bidding to qualify for a fourth finals, Iran may be the favourites, but Bahrain, who lost out to New Zealand in a playoff for the 2010 competition, and 2022 hosts Qatar, will be keen to make an impression.

Indonesia complete the section.

The top two nations from each of the five groups go through to the next round.

2014 World Cup draw for the Asian zone made on Saturday:

Group A: China, Jordan, Iraq, Singapore

Group B: South Korea, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon

Group C: Japan, Uzbekistan, Syria, North Korea

Group D: Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Thailand

Group E: Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, Indonesia

- Top two from each will go forward to two groups of five. The top two of each of those groups will advance to the World Cup finals. The two third placed sides will face off with the winner taking on fifth placed team from South America.

 

[midfielder]

The Schedule


MD1
2 September 2011
Australia v Thailand

MD2
6 September 2011
Saudi Arabia v Australia

MD3
11 October 2011
Australia v Oman

MD4
11 November 2011
Oman v Australia

MD5
15 November 2011
Thailand v Australia

MD6
29 February 2012
Australia v Saudi Arabia