World Cup Germany 2006

well, unfortunately Uruguay won 1 - 0 against Australia ... so the first leg is done, Australia needs to win the second leg to keep their dream alive ... ;)
 
I am so hoping for a 2-0 win or 3-1 I don't think I can handle not getting in again I think we can do it and beside there was no Way that it was a free kick the lead to their goal if anything it should of been ours their guy pushed our guy out the way poor Scott.

I hope the Australia Crowd bring us home as long as we don't get up 2-0 and then they score 3 in the last 20 minutes like what happened in 97 against Iran we will be fine!
 
WE WON WE WON WE WON!!!!!!!!!!! WERE IN THE WORLD CUP!!!

OMG that penalty shootout my heart was in my mouth!!

I can't belive we WON!!! This is so Awesome!!!!!
 
Qualified Teams

See you in Germany!

African Zone (5 Teams)

Angola (ANG) 08-Oct-05
Cote d'Ivoire (CIV) 08-Oct-05
Togo (TOG) 08-Oct-05
Ghana (GHA) 08-Oct-05
Tunisia (TUN) 08-Oct-05

Asian Zone (4.5 Teams)

Japan (JPN) 08-Jun-05
Iran (IRN) 08-Jun-05
Korea Republic (KOR) 08-Jun-05
Saudi Arabia (KSA) 08-Jun-05

European Zone (14 Teams)

Germany (GER) Host
Ukraine (UKR) 03-Sep-05
Netherlands (NED) 08-Oct-05
Poland (POL) 08-Oct-05
England (ENG) 08-Oct-05
Croatia (CRO) 08-Oct-05
Italy (ITA) 08-Oct-05
Portugal (POR) 08-Oct-05
Sweden (SWE) 12-Oct-05
Serbia and Montenegro (SCG) 12-Oct-05
France (FRA) 12-Oct-05
Switzerland (SUI) 16-Nov-05
Spain (ESP) 16-Nov-05
Czech Republic (CZE) 16-Nov-05

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone (3.5 Teams)

USA (USA) 03-Sep-05
Mexico (MEX) 07-Sep-05
Costa Rica (CRC) 08-Oct-05
Trinidad and Tobago (TRI) 16-Nov-05

Oceanian Zone (0.5 Teams)

Australia (AUS) 16-Nov-05

South American Zone (4.5 Teams)

Argentina (ARG) 08-Jun-05
Brazil (BRA) 04-Sep-05
Ecuador (ECU) 08-Oct-05
Paraguay (PAR) 08-Oct-05

We made it to the 32 qualified teams ... now we just have to wait for December 9th, when the 8 groups will be seleceted and we see who goes against who ... :woot:

I am so happy Australia classified ... great game ... (y) (y)
 
OK ... fantastic game ... and the saves by the keeper ... :thud:

Australia is on ... finally ... they have deserved to be there for so long ... :woot:
 
Why do I have a bad feeling that Australia will end up in the same group as England.

It's not really bad we beat them 3-1 in 2003 I just hope that the draw is on our side!
 
All you need to know about the Final Draw

3 December 2005 by FIFAworldcup.com

After many months' hard slog in pursuit of a place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, the coaches of the 32 qualified countries will be in attendance at the Leipzig Exhibition Centre on Friday 9 December for the Final Draw. And by the end of proceedings, they will know what, and who, to expect in the first round of football's most prestigious event.

This highly colourful evening, hosted by model Heidi Klum and television presenter Reinhold Beckmann, will be nothing short of a celebration of football. The high point of the night will be preceded by a feast of entertainment, including musical performances by Colombian singer Juanes and the German Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, plus a show by magician Hans Klok that is sure to enchant young and old alike. The master of ceremonies for the draw itself will be FIFA Director of Communications Markus Siegler.

Germany in Group A
To ensure the draw process is clearly understood, a few key points should be clarified. First, it is worth bearing in mind that – wherever possible – no two teams from the same continental zone can be drawn in the same group. The sole exception to this rule is the presence of a maximum of two teams from the European Zone in the same group, due to the high number of European qualifiers (14 including the German hosts).

As regards allocation to the different pots, there will be eight seeded teams, among them Germany, who have already been assigned to Group A. The seven other seeds will be determined on 6 December by the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup, on the basis of various criteria such as the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The eight chosen seeds will be placed in Pot 1, and drawn as the first teams in Groups A to H, from left to right. As mentioned above, it has already been decided that Germany will play in Group A.

The 24 remaining teams will then be assigned to Pots 2, 3 and 4 in such a way as to achieve the best possible geographical distribution between the groups. As soon as a team is drawn, another draw will be made to allocate this team its place in a group. Finally, so as to maintain the suspense to the end and most importantly, protect the integrity of the draw process, the order in which the pots will be drawn may be varied.

So make a date for Friday 9 December 2005 at 20:15 (local time) to follow the Final Draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup live on FIFAworldcup.com. As well as an application enabling you to follow the draw live, there will also be commentaries and explanations, plus live reaction from the personalities present.

In addition, a Fan Chat forum will be up and running from the afternoon of 9 December, allowing you to converse with supporters from all over the globe. All of this will be available in seven different languages, as FIFAworldcup.com is launching in Italian, Korean and Portuguese.
Click to expand...

So, in 4 days, we will know who will go against who in next years' World Cup ... :woot:
 
FIFA Organising Committee approves team classifications and final draw procedure

6 December 2005 by FIFAworldcup.com

Brazil, England, Spain, Mexico, France, Argentina, Italy and hosts Germany are the eight seeded teams heading the groups for the final draw of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in Leipzig on Friday, 9 December.

The FIFA Organising Committee, chaired by Lennart Johansson (Sweden), reached this decision at its meeting today. The committee also approved the composition of the names in the other pots as well as the procedure for the final draw.

The committee based its criteria for seeding the teams on the 32 finalists' performances at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2002 and 1998 (ratio 2:1) and the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking in the years 2005, 2004 and 2003 (ratio 1:1:1). Brazil consequently attained the maximum of 64 points. Italy with 44 points – a one-point lead over the USA (43) and six points ahead of the Netherlands (38) – also heads a group (cf. the complete tables).

The FIFA World Cup regulations stipulate that geographical criteria must also be taken into account in the draw. Each group may not include more than one team per confederation, with the exception of Europe, which has 14 representatives. Consequently, six of the eight groups will comprise two European teams.

Serbia and Montenegro were allocated to a special pot to avoid drawing three European teams into one group. The reason for the decision allocating one of the nine remaining European representatives into this bowl was the FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking in November 2005, in which Serbia and Montenegro occupied 47th place – the lowest position of the teams in question.

At the draw, Serbia and Montenegro will be allocated to one of the three groups that are headed by a non-European team, in other words, either Brazil, Argentina or Mexico.
Click to expand...
 
Heee.

They already explained here in TV how the whole thing is going to be done :smiley:

I'm excited to see who will play against who...
 
DRAW RESULTS AND FIRST MATCH

GROUP A

1 Germany A1-A2 1800HRS 09.06.06
2 Costa Rica
3 Poland A3-A4 2100HRS 09.06.06
4 Equador

GROUP B

1 England B1-B2 1500HRS 10.06.06
2 Paraquay
3 Trinidad and Tobago B3-B4 1800HRS 10.06.06
4 Sweden

GROUP C

1 Argentina C1-C2 2100HRS 10.06.06
2 Ivory Coast
3 Serbia and Montenegro C3-C3 1500HRS 11.06.06
4 Holland

GROUP D

1 Mexico D1-D2 1800HRS 11.06.06
2 Iran
3 Angola D3-D4 2100HRS 11.06.06
4 Portugal

GROUP E

1 Italy E1-E2 1500HRS 12.06.06
2 Ghana
3 USA E3-E4 1800HRS 12.06.06
4 Czech rep

GROUP F

1 Brazil F1-F2 2100HRS 12.06.06
2 Croatia
3 Australia F3-F4 1500HRS 13.06.06
4 Japan

GROUP G

1 France G1-G2 1800HRS 13.06.06
2 Switerland
3 South Korea G3-G4 2100HRS 13.06.06
4 Togo

GROUP H

1 Spain H1-H2 1500HRS 14.06.06
2 Ukraine
3 Tunisia H3-H4 1800HRS 14.06,06
4 Sauda Arabia
 
Group A: German hopes raised by draw
9 December 2005 by FIFAworldcup.com

The fates were clearly smiling on the hosts of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. Pitted against Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador, the Mannschaft face three capable teams, but they are surely well equipped to negotiate their way through to the knock-out stages. The key, of course, will be to not underestimate their opponents, a lesson both France and Argentina learned to their cost in 2002. For their part, the Poles and Ecuadorians will be confident after impressive qualification campaigns, while Costa Rica already showed themselves capable of causing an upset in 1990.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Germany 16th
Costa Rica 21st
Poland 23rd
Ecuador 37th

Matches

Date in your diary: Gelsenkirchen, 14 June, Germany v Poland
The second outing for both teams, Germany and Poland will meet in Gelsenkirchen for a match that is sure to prove crucial to both sides' qualification hopes. And just to spice things up, this encounter will remind more senior fans of another tussle on German soil. The venue was Frankfurt and the occasion the second round of the 1974 FIFA World Cup™ and a match the West Germans narrowly won 1-0 before going on to lift the trophy.

David v Goliath: Munich, 9 June, Germany v Costa Rica
The Costa Ricans could hardly have imagined a more testing first game than a rendez-vous with the hosts, who will undoubtedly be fired up for the opening match of the tournament in front of a packed crowd at the FIFA World Cup Stadium in Munich.

History repeats itself: Germany v Poland
West Germany faced Poland at two successive FIFA World Cup finals, in 1974 and 1978, but the matches produced just one goal, scored by Gerd Muller for the Germans in '74.

Analysis

At first sight, the Germans appear hot favourites to dominate Group A. Always expected to shine in FIFA World Cup year, Germany ought to be even more menacing with home advantage this time around. And they will also be confident of starting off on the right foot against Costa Rica, a team with numerous qualities, but evidently a rung below their opponents on the international footballing ladder. Add the fact that there will not be a spare seat in Munich as the hosts feel the force of an entire nation behind them and it is hard to imagine them slipping up. Unless the pressure proves too much, that is.

The second challenge awaiting Jurgen Klinsmann's men looks a lot more difficult. Up against a Poland side who pushed England all the way during qualification, they will definitely need to proceed with caution. Indeed, games between the two outfits have always been close affairs and not least in FIFA World Cups, with the Germans edging a tense match in 1974. A similar outcome would suit them down to the ground next June, when they went on to win the title 31 years ago. And everyone knows how important superstition is in football.

That said, nobody should be surprised if Ecuador end up spoiling the party. Having sealed their place by leaving Paraguay and Uruguay in their wake in the extremely competitive South American Zone, Luis Fernando Suarez's charges will be afraid of no-one. Likewise, they will have learned from their disappointing showing in 2002 and will be eager to demonstrate their tidy passing game and attacking capabilities as they strive for a berth in the last 16. Their task will not be easy, however, particularly because their best results have all tended to come at home. Performing on foreign soil has been a problem in the past and one they will need to address before their crucial first match against Poland in Gelsenkirchen.

Did you know?
Ecuador have only ever won one FIFA World Cup match. The good news is that it came against a European side, Croatia, in 2002. The South Americans will have two European teams to contend with next summer.

Group B: England hope for Swede revenge

England, one of the seeds in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw in Leipzig, were grouped with familiar foes Sweden as well as Paraguay and a Trinidad and Tobago side who are competing in their first finals.
For England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson it is another clash against his home country, but history favours Lars Lagerback's men. Paraguay, competing in the finals for the third successive time, will command respect having reached the last 16 in both 1998 and 2002, losing out to the eventual finalists on both occasions. Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, will be determined to put on a good show on their debut appearance.

FIFA/Cola Coca World Ranking
England 9th
Paraguay 30th
Trinidad and Tobago 51st
Sweden 14th

Matches

Date in your diary: Cologne, 20 June, Sweden v England
This will be seen as the key fixture in the group and Eriksson will not need reminding that England do not have a happy record against his homeland. The sides drew 1-1 in Saitama in Korea/Japan 2002 and the Swedes then defeated England 1-0 in March 2004, continuing a long unbeaten run against England which stretches back to 1968.

David v Goliath: Nuremberg, 15 June, England v Trinidad and Tobago
This will be an occasion to relish for the Caribbean first-timers, many of whom ply their trade in England and Scotland.

History repeats itself: Berlin, 15 June, Sweden v Paraguay
The two nations met in the finals in Brazil in 1950. The game in Curitiba ended 2-2 and that was enough for Sweden to win Group 3 and progress to the next phase.

Analysis

England will be favourites to win the group and take the next step on the long road which they hope will see them claiming football's supreme prize 40 years after they were crowned world champions in their own country. However, Sweden, experienced campaigners at this level with their 11th appearance in the finals, will be strong contenders and will hope to improve on four years ago when they made it to the last 16.

Fourth in the South American qualifiers, Paraguay's aim will be to survive the group stage, something they accomplished in each of the last two finals. In qualifying, Anibal Ruiz's team managed a 1-0 victory at home to Argentina, having earlier held the two-time FIFA World Cup winners to a 0-0 draw in Buenos Aires. So they will not be lacking confidence.

Trinidad and Tobago may lack experience, but in Leo Beenhakker they have a coach who is no stranger to the highest level of competition, guiding the Netherlands into the second round in Italy in 1990 when they bowed out to eventual winners West Germany. Sheer enthusiasm alone is bound to make them difficult opponents.

Did you know?
Trinidad and Tobago have never faced England and since 1985 have only met one of the other teams in the group – Paraguay. In March 1989 the two sides locked horns in two friendly fixtures, which ended 2-2 and 1-1.

Group C: Argentina handed short straw

If ever there was a nightmare group, then this is it. Argentina, Netherlands, Serbia and Montenegro, and Côte d'Ivoire are all in the top 50 of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The Oranje and the Albiceleste are third and fourth respectively. As a result, the South Americans, who were also drawn in a tricky group in 2002, face a tough battle if they are to fare any better than they did in Asia.
The Dutch, imperious in qualification, will have their hearts set on making a successful return after an eight-year absence. The Serbo-Montenegrins, meanwhile, will come to the tournament full of confidence fresh from a preliminary competition where their defensive solidity impressed the entire world. And if the Africans are considered the minnows of the group, they are nonetheless brimming with talent and enthusiasm. It would be a brave man who staked his reputation on predicting a winner...

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Argentina 4th
Côte d'Ivoire 41st
Serbia and Montenegro 47th
Netherlands 3rd

Matches

Date for your diary: Frankfurt, 21 June, Netherlands v Argentina
Potentially the most exciting clash of the first round. All the more so since third in the world meets fourth in this decisive clash in a finely poised group.

David v Goliath: Hamburg, 10 June, Argentina v Côte d'Ivoire
The opening match of the group sees a baptism of fire for debutants Côte d'Ivoire against two-time champions Argentina.

History repeats itself: Netherlands v Argentina
The teams have met three times before at the finals and though the Dutch have emerged as winners on two occasions in 1974 and 1998, Argentina will be more than happy to have won the one that counted most, the final of 1978.


Analysis

The Albiceleste must be starting to think they are cursed. In 2002, they drew England, Sweden and Nigeria in the first round. Despite being favourites, they then failed to emerge from the group. This time, they meet two strong European sides in the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro, along with Côte d'Ivoire who, if they acclimatise quickly, will lack nothing in finesse or talent.

The Dutch, formidable in qualifying, undoubtedly pose the greatest threat to the South Americans. The two teams have met on numerous occasions, including three encounters in the FIFA World Cup™. The quarter-finals of France 98 in Marseille saw the Oranje net a last-minute winner to decide an enthralling tie. And the final of Argentina 1978 between the teams of Mario Kempes and Johan Neeskens has gone down in the history of the tournament.

However, the pair will not have things all their own way. Serbia and Montenegro enjoyed an exceptional qualifying tournament, edging past Spain and conceding just one goal in 10 matches. Without compromising their technical ability, Ilija Petkovic's men have solidified their back line in impressive fashion. As for Côte d'Ivoire, their qualification ahead of Cameroon was nothing short of miraculous. Henri Michel's troops evoke comparisons with the Senegal team of 2002 with their attacking talents (Didier Drogba, Bonaventure Kalou and Aruna Dindane) and a refreshing enthusiasm. And we all know how the Lions of the Teranga fared in Asia.

Did you know?
Côte d'Ivoire's Didier Drogba, Argentina's Hernan Crespo and Dutchman Arjen Robben all play their club football at Chelsea and will all come up against each other in this group. And if that was not enough, they will also meet Serbia and Montenegro's Mateja Kezman, their team-mate last season.

Group D: Pair with point to prove

Mexico have a reputation to live up to these days. Ricardo La Volpe's side were among the eight seeded teams in the Final Draw, they qualified comfortably and they boast the world's top scorer in FIFA World Cup™ qualifying in Jared Borgetti.

El Tricolor are unlikely to have things their own way, however, not least against a Portugal team who boast their own goal machine in Pauleta, Europe's top marksman and plenty of attacking flair. With the experience of several Bundesliga-based internationals, meanwhile, Iran could push for a first place in the knock-out rounds, while it will be fascinating to see how Angola fare on their debut finals appearance.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Mexico 7th
Iran 19th
Angola 62nd
Portugal 10th

Matches

Date in your diary: Gelsenkirchen, 21 June, Portugal v Mexico
These teams will be most observers' favourites to fill the qualifying places in the group and this match could decide who comes out on top. It will also offer a chance to compare the respective merits of Pauleta and Borgetti.

David v Goliath: Cologne, 8 June, Angola v Portugal
A Hollywood scriptwriter could not have dreamt up a better scenario for Angola's first ever finals match. The African team will face Portugal, their former colonial rulers and a country where many of their footballers are based, among them the Benfica striker Mantorras.

History repeats itself: Angola v Portugal
Angola will be hoping history does not repeat itself. Their two previous meetings on Portuguese soil brought 5-1 and 6-0 defeats.

Analysis

With 12 previous appearances, Mexico are far and away this section's most experienced FIFA World Cup campaigners and will travel to Germany hoping to better their record in the last three tournaments which they exited in the second round. Their performance at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June augurs well, certainly: a Borgetti goal beat Brazil and only a penalty shoot-out defeat by Argentina denied them a place in the final.

A place in the last 16 is also the minimum target for Portugal, who have actually not been beyond the group stage of a FIFA World Cup since reaching the last four in 1966. One of the strongest European sides in qualifying and UEFA EURO 2004 runners-up two summers ago, the Portuguese are aiming to make up for previous disappointments on the world stage and in the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari they have a coach well acquainted with winning FIFA World Cup matches.

The tournament is expected to mark Luis Figo's international football swansong, but will also provide a platform for their latest wing wizard, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will be formidable first opponents for Angola on what will be an emotional occasion in Cologne. Given the countries' close association, the Angolans are unlikely to surprise Portugal but, by the same token, the familiarity could work in their favour as with Senegal and France in 2002. Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has the trust of his players and their team spirit is strong.

Like Angola, Iran will start out as underdogs but on their third finals appearance, they should benefit from the presence in German club football of several of their key players, including Hamburg playmaker Mehdi Mahdavikia. They beat the United States at France 98 and will probably have to record another famous win if they are to go into their final match against Angola with hope of progressing.

Did you know?
Mexico coach Ricardo La Volpe was a reserve goalkeeper in Argentina's FIFA World Cup-winning squad in 1978.

Group E: Italy face tough test of credentials

Ghana go into their first-ever FIFA World Cup™ finals in a group containing three of the top 12 teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. Despite being one of the seeded teams, the draw has hardly been kind to Italy, who find their path to glory obstructed by the high-flying Czech Republic and an American side intent on proving that their quarter-final finish in 2002 was no fluke.
The tussle for the top two spots promises to be thoroughly absorbing.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Italy 12th
Ghana 50th
Czech Republic 2nd
United States 37th

Matches

Date in your diary: Hamburg, 22nd June, Czech Republic v Italy
In such an evenly balanced group, there should still be plenty to play for come this last match between two of Europe’s giants. When Pavel Nedved and his fellow Euro 2004 semi-finalists take on a new-look Squadra Azzurra bursting with ambition, a mouth-watering encounter should be on the cards.

David v Goliath: Hanover, 12th June, Italy v Ghana
For their FIFA World Cup debut, the Ghanaians kick off against Italy, old stagers at football’s supreme event, with no less than 16 FIFA World Cup tournaments under their belt.

History repeats itself: Italy v United States In Rome in 1934, the Italians inflicted a real drubbing upon the Americans, running out 7-1 winners in the first round of the second FIFA World Cup. The Italians went on to lift the trophy.

Analysis

Italy’s group, along with those of Argentina and England, is one of the toughest, as everyone had been keen to avoid the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. Despite their seeded status, the Squadra Azzurra have drawn the short straw and simply cannot afford to slip up in their opening game against Ghana. The Africans may be newcomers, but pushovers they are not, as Radomir Djukovic’s charges conceded just four goals in all 12 of their qualifying games. But in hungry young wolves Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino, Italy will feel they have sufficient firepower up front, not to mention a typically unyielding defence.

In what is actually their fifth consecutive final phase, the United States will certainly have experience on their side. Moreover, they have never been as strong, having finished ahead of Mexico in qualifying. With their harmonious blend of old hands and solid young talent, Bruce Arena’s charges are not to be taken lightly.

Despite having had to come through the play-offs, Czech Republic have (finally) booked their place at the global football festival and for this very experienced and close-knit group of players, it most likely represents a last chance of major silverware: the likes of Pavel Nedved and Jan Koller may not be as young as they were, but they are still just as talented.

Did you know?
Pavel Nedved, who retired from international football before going back on his decision, will probably come up against a number of his Italian team-mates from Juventus. Another familiar face will be Fenerbahce’s Stephen Appiah, one of his midfield partners last season in Turin.

Group F: Brazil the team to beat

FIFA World Cup™ holders and five-times winners, Brazil will be favourites to advance as winners from Group F but predictions of an easy passage could well prove ill-founded.

Croatia have their own past exploits to live up to and qualified impressively, while Australia will relish their return to Germany and football's greatest stage after a 32-year hiatus. As for Zico's Japan, they will be aiming to prove that it was not just home advantage that took them into the second round last time out.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World ranking
Brazil 1st
Croatia 20th
Australia 49th
Japan 15th

Matches

Date in your diary: Dortmund, 22 June, Japan v Brazil
Brazil long provided the model for Japanese football to follow – a 'special relationship' underlined by Zico's appointment as Japan coach in 2002. Now the Brazilian football legend must take on the country he represented with such style at three FIFA World Cups.

David v Goliath: Munich, 18 June, Brazil v Australia
The two teams may share a love of gold and green but the similarities end there. While Brazilians have football in their blood, the sport has struggled for prominence Down Under. However, the cheers from the Socceroos' contingent when they were drawn with Brazil underlines this will be an occasion to savour on the Australians' second appearance at the finals.

History repeats itself: Japan v Croatia
Golden Shoe winner Davor Suker's 77th-minute strike settled the sides' meeting at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. It was both countries' first finals appearance – and the victory sent eventual semi-finalists Croatia into the second round, while eliminating Japan.

Analysis

Brazil will be the team to beat in Germany. Ronaldinho alone has the potential to light up the whole tournament and there is no doubt that at their best, Carlos Alberto Parreira's men have the attacking qualities to outclass any opponent. Yet each of their first-round rivals have matched the Seleção at one time or another.

Croatia should be stronger than the ageing team, who disappointed at Korea/Japan 2002 and coach Zlatko Kranjcar will take heart from their 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil last summer. Likewise Zico, whose Japan side gave the Brazilians a real scare in the FIFA Confederations Cup in June, drawing 2-2 but very nearly securing a first ever victory over the South Americans.

Japan will be out to build on their success on home soil in 2002, where they reached the round of 16 and their matches with both Croatia and Australia look sure to be closely contested. With that in mind, the winners of their opening fixture against the Socceroos will gain a real confidence boost. It will be fascinating to see what Guus Hiddink can achieve with the Australians, always combative and now sure to benefit from the experience of the man who led the Netherlands to the 1998 semi-finals and Korea Republic to the last four in 2002.

Did you know?
As trainer of his native Netherlands, Australia coach Guus Hiddink lost to both Brazil and Croatia at France 98.

Group G: South Koreans, Swiss stalk French favourites

Four years ago, everyone would have had Les Bleus down as favourites to take Group G. However, their traumatic experiences at Korea/Japan 2002 have left their mark and France's encounter with Togo - who, like Senegal in 2002, are making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup™ finals - is far from a foregone conclusion. For their part, Switzerland proved to be more than a handful for France during the qualifiers, while Korea Republic's performance in Asia has earned them everyone's respect. Everything therefore points to this group being more open than it would first appear.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
France 5th
Togo 56th
Korea Republic 29th
Switzerland 36th

Matches

A date for the diary: Stuttgart, 13 June, France v Switzerland
This derby between the 'Alpine neighbours' is one of the classic confrontations. The sides played out two hard-fought draws (0-0 and 1-1) in Group 4 of their qualifying campaign, although France got the upper hand with a 2-0 victory at UEFA EURO 2004.

David v Goliath: Cologne, 23 June, Togo v France
On paper, this would appear to be an extremely one-sided contest between the world champions and a Togo side making their first appearance on world football's greatest stage. However, one need only think back to Senegal...

History repeats itself: Leipzig, 18 June, France v Korea Republic
The two sides met in a friendly on 26 May 2002, a few days before the finals in Korea/Japan kicked off, with France managing to snatch a hard-earned 3-2 victory.

Analysis

France, winners of the competition in 1998, and Korea Republic, semi-finalists on home soil in 2002, will start as slight favourites in this group. However, there is very little to choose between them and Switzerland, who were unbeaten in finishing second in their qualifying group. Still smarting from their ignominious first-round exit four years ago, France will be adopting a highly cautious approach this time round. Raymond Domenech's men topped Group 4 ahead of Switzerland, inspired largely by the return from retirement of the 'old guard', Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele.

Alexander Frei and Johann Vogel, both of whom play in Ligue 1 in France, know their French opponents inside and out. Frei, who finished as the leading marksman in France last season, will be out to prove his worth following a disappointing end to Switzerland's qualifying campaign where he was below his best, particularly against the Republic of Ireland.

Before coming up against the French again in what could prove to be one of the key clashes in the group, Korea Republic should get a good work-out against Togo in their first match. The Hawks will be looking to cause an upset in their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup finals and they are capable of doing so with players of the calibre of Emmanuel Adebayor, the top scorer in the qualifiers with 11, among their ranks.

Did you know?
Zinedine Zidane suffered a damaged thigh muscle in a friendly against Korea Republic three days before the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ kicked off, an injury which kept him out of France's first two matches of the competition.

Group H: Spain have tough task

Spain are faced with a difficult task after the FIFA World Cup™ Final Draw in Leipzig grouped them with Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. The seeded nation have potential difficulties against all three opponents with Ukraine, appearing at the finals for the first time, among the most impressive European qualifiers. Tunisia are the reigning African champions while Saudi Arabia beat Korea Republic (semi-finalists at the 2002 FIFA World Cup) home and away to win their Asian qualifying group.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
Spain 6th
Ukraine 40th
Tunisia 28th
Saudi Arabia 32ns

Matches

Date in your diary: Leipzig, 14 June, Spain v Ukraine
The first game in the group will give a better guide as to the impact Ukraine are likely to make on their debut. Spain, who so often underachieve, will be hoping to hit the ground running and show that it could be a case of 12th time lucky for them.

David v Goliath: Kaiserslautern, 23 June, Spain v Saudi Arabia
When the Saudi Arabians last faced one of Europe’s big battalions in 2002, Gemany thrashed them 8-0.

History repeats itself: Munich, 14 June, Tunisia v Saudi Arabia
There have been precious few previous meetings between the four nations. In 1985 Tunisia hosted the Saudis in a friendly and won 1-0, a scoreline that was reversed when the teams met in Riyadh three years later.

Analysis

Logic suggests that Spain and Ukraine will dominate but it is an intriguing group in which all four teams can be expected to compete strongly. Tunisia are returning to Germany where they gave a good account of themselves at the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, running Argentina close in a 2-1 defeat before defeating Australia 2-0.

If he recovers from injury in time, Ukraine will keep a close eye on Spain striker Raul. When the teams met in qualifying for the 2004 UEFA European Championship, the Real Madrid man scored three goals over the sides’ two matches. Ukraine have improved since then, becoming the first side from Europe to qualify for Germany and winning a group that included Turkey, Greece and Denmark.

Coach Roger Lemerre became the first coach to win continental titles in both Europe and Africa when he led Tunisia to their CAF African Cup of Nations success in 2004. They defeated Morocco in the final and edged out the same opponents to win a place in the FIFA World Cup finals for the third successive time. Saudi Arabia can go one better than that and in their fourth finals will be hoping to at least match their record in 1994 when they advanced to the second round before losing to Sweden.

Did you know?
Of the four African teams who competed in Korea/Japan in 2002, only Tunisia have made it back to the FIFA World Cup finals four years later.
 
Now that we know the groups lets try to guess which ones pass... :P

In my opinion

GROUP A
Germany
Poland

GROUP B
England
Paraguay

GROUP C
Argentina
Neetherlands

GROUP D
Portugal
Mexico

GROUP E
Italy
Czech Republic

GROUP F
Brasil
Croatia

GROUP G
France
Switerzlland

GROUP H
Spain
Saudi Arabia

My guess for the final... PORTUGAL VS BRASIL
LOL... I can dream :P
 

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