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CAPE TOWN: Asian nations were dealt a tough draw for the next year's World Cup but the consensus on Saturday was that getting through the group stages will be hard, but possible.
Australia, the region's standout performer at Germany 2006, was pitted with three-time champions Germany, Ghana and Serbia while North Korea is in the inevitable 'Group of Death'.
They face not just favourites Brazil, but Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast and Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal team-mates.
Four Asian teams were in the hat at the glittering ceremony on Friday with Japan grouped alongside the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark, and South Korea thrown together with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece.
Oceania qualifiers New Zealand, who risk becoming the tournament's whipping boys, have a mountain to climb against defending champions Italy, dangerous South American opponents Paraguay and Slovakia.
Getting a result in their opening matches will be critical and the mind games have already begun with Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saying Germany will be under huge pressure to win their clash on June 13 in Durban.
"Obviously, it's a massive game first up and the great thing for us is that Germany will be under all the pressure," the Fulham stopper told reporters.
"Everyone will expect Germany to win, they will be under enormous pressure back home to win the game and the footballing world will be thinking the same thing."
Coach Pim Verbeek is confident his team can make the knockout rounds, saying Group D was a major challenge but something his men thrive on.
"We know how good we can be, it's a tough group, but the more difficult it is for the players the bigger the challenge," he said.
North Korea, playing at their first World Cup since 1966, face a formidable task in Group G but could surprise, with coach Kim Jong-Hun moulding a hard-working and disciplined outfit.
They kick off with a blockbuster against five-time champions Brazil in Johannesburg on June 15.
The reclusive team has offered no reaction, with Kim one of only three coaches not to attend the ceremony.
The others were Argentina's Diego Maradona, who was banned, and New Zealand's Ricky Herbert, who had commitments in Australia's A-League.
South Korea are Asia's most experienced campaigners, playing in their seventh consecutive World Cup, and get their tournament underway in Group B with a winnable game against Greece in Port Elizabeth on June 12.
While matching their semi-final run in 2002 appears beyond their abilities, coach Huh Jung-Moo is confident of steering them into the round of 16 at least despite Argentina and Nigeria being superior sides.
"We were drawn in the so-called Group of Death in Asian qualifying and we made it through," said Huh.
"We believe we can do the job again in South Africa. I will go back to South Korea and start working on our strategy."
Japan is a wildcard and will be targeting second in Group F with the Netherlands clear favourites to top the table.
Their opener against Cameroon in Bloemfontein on June 14 will be crucial, with points from that game a must for Takeshi Okada, who still thinks his team can make the semi-finals.
"It will be the fourth World Cup finals for Japan and we are aiming for a top four spot. We don't intend to change our goal and we continue to aim for a top four spot," he said.
While his hopes are high, minnows New Zealand know that barring a major upset, they will be on an early plane home.
Herbert took satisfaction from who they are not playing.
"We would have wanted to avoid France and Portugal, I think, as the non-seeded teams," he said from New Zealand.
"Italy, however, speak for themselves, but Slovakia and Paraguay are two new sides to us. They are two big obstacles, but we go in with some confidence."
- AFP/so
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