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Australia have been drawn alongside defending champions Spain, as well as the Netherlands and Chile in Group B for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
While we may not officially know what the makeup of the three teams will be by the time the tournament actually begins next year, one thing is for certain: this is an incredibly tough draw for the Socceroos in terms of their chances to qualify for the knockout rounds, but one that will benefit them in the long run.
After all, what better chance to play against and learn from the best in the world!
Host nation Brazil were drawn into Group A, along with Australia’s 2006 World Cup opponents in Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Group B (Socceroos): Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic
On the surface, both Groups D and G are also shaping as very tough groups.
Costa Rica were very strong throughout the qualifying process and will be boosted by the advantage they have being in South America — as will Luis Suarez and Uruguay.
That will mean both England and Italy (who would have fancied their chances to qualify heading into the start of the draw) will need very sound performances in the group stage if they are to progress at all.
The same goes in Group G. Ghana are a deceptively strong team, capable of hurting their opponents on the counterattack, and they could cause an upset or two throughout their group stage matches.
Both Germany and Portugal are world-class teams who are particularly good on the counterattack as well, so it will be interesting to see if they have any trouble against the Black Stars.
As far as the easiest groups so, Group E and H are probably the pick of the two, though neither are exactly easy for any team in the group.
France will be the favourites to qualify from Group E, but don’t sleep on Switzerland at all. The Swiss absolutely blitzed the qualifying process and have been incredibly tight at the back; if they can simply work on their finishing at the top of their attack then they have the potential to be a very strong team indeed.
The ‘Golden Generation’ of Belgium (which is filled with Premier League stars such as Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen to name a few) will fancy their draw against the likes of Algeria, Russia and Kore Republic.
Look for the Asian powerhouse in Korea to be a real handful in that group and potentially wrap up a spot in the knockout stages of the competition next year.
What do you think of the groups Roarers? Have the Socceroos gotten a shocking draw, or is there a tougher group at there?
Who are your picks to go through to the knockout rounds of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and who do you think will bomb out?
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