Australia drawn in Group 1 with China, Iraq & Qatar.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/asia/standings/index.html for the other groups.

england have drawn croatia again...along with Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra..


easy.

from this group the top 2 go onto the next round which is also a group stage (round 4).

Round 4 comprises two groups of 5 (8 matches, 4 home, 4 away) with the winner and runner-up going to South Africa.

The two 3rd ranked teams play-off to face New Zealand/Solomons for the last remaining spot at WC2010.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournam ... f17176.pdf

Bring it bitches.

didnt Australia opt to join the Asian League for a) better competition and b) an easier path to the WC? It seems to me that yes the competition is better, but that NZ (who will probably take our place as Oceania Champions) will have an easier path to the WC...

I much prefer this route even though we got the group of death for what should have been a relatively easy first group stage.

Playing the 5th placed Asian side is a tough ask when you have so few competitive fixtures to get the team to gel together in. I think that the nerves of high pressure fixtures and the lack of team cohesion were huge contributing factors in our losses to Scotland, Argentina, Iran and Uruguay in previous campaigns.

Avoiding those sudden death fixtures will place a bit less pressure on the team.

And as a fan:
- I'd much rather watch lots and lots of WCQs than just 2;
- look forward to doing some domestic travel for different matches
- not have 7 days of anxiety leading up to the sudden death legs, but f**k me if doesn't feel good actaully winning!

The FFA will be looking forward to a very profitable 18 months, especially if we can get into the next round. That's 4 home matches against higher quality Asian opponents. Looking at sold out matches in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and...f**k knows where else. Perth's time zone counts against it and Adelaide doesn't have a big enough all-seater stadium.

Wow, that is an easy group, but still Croatia will top it.

I agree with Anthony, NZ have a fairly easy run to the WC finals, i'll predict they will play China for the spot, it sure beats playing Uruguay, Ecuador, Paraguay or Columbia.

I'm sure you said that about Euro 2008 as well.

1st game: Australia v Qatar, Wed 6th December @ Telstra Dome.

2 things.

1. it goes without saying that we'll have a better coach in charge this time round..

2. the 4 best 2nd place sides go into a play off...not that'll we'll need that option but it's there if we need it

Here's UEFA's groups (from Bigsoccer)

Group 1
Malta
Albania
Hungary
Denmark
Sweden
Portugal

Group of Death IMO, Hungary and Denmark outside chances to go second

Group 2
Latvia
Luxembourg
Moldova
Switzerland
Israel
Greece

Greece should top the group, SUI and ISR close for second.

Group 3
San Marino
Slovenia
Slavakia
Northern Ireland
Poland
Czech Republic

I don't know much about these nations, but the CR should go close with Poland for top spot, NI and Slavakia could upset some sides.

Group 4
Azerbaijian
Liechenstein
Wales
Finland
Russia
Germany

Germany should top this group, Russia to one of the best 2nd placed teams. Finland and Wales to fight for third.

Group 5
Estonia
Armenia
Bosnia- Herz
Belgium
Turkey
Spain

Spain should easily go through, Turkey 2nd with Belgium could upset some.

Group 6
Andorra
Kazahkstan
Belarus
Ukraine
England
Croatia

Ukraine is the only threat to Eng and Croatia, with a new coach England could get some revenge for the Euro exit at the hands of Croatia.

Group 7
Faroe Islands
Lithiuania
Austria
Serbia
Romania
France

Tougher group then i first thought, Serbia in with a real shot at topping the group, France weren't too convincing in Euro qualifying so they may have trouble with both Romania and Serbia, Austria no chance.

Group 8
Montenegro
Georgia
Cyprus
Republic of Ireland
Bulgaria
Italy

Lucky Italy, they should easily coast past the group stage with this group, Bulgaria and RofI are decent on their day, Montenegro may be difficult at home, its really on a fight for 2nd spot, will be interesting to see who gets it though.

Group 9
Iceland
Macedonia
Norway
Scotland
Netherlands

Scotland have a big chance of progressing from this group, the Dutch should top it comfortably, Norway in with a shot (i hope), they're my country outside Australia, love to see the Scandinavians do well.

does NZ then have to play off against South America?

anyhow New Caledonia will get some ring ins

Winner of Oceania gets the fifth placed Asian team now.

No they play off the fifth placed Asian team, meaning Australia could end up playing against New Zealand or someone of even less quality for a spot in the WC.

It does bring a lot more quality games for the soccoroos which was probably the main reason for changing to Asia, Its a lot easier then always organising friendlies at Craven Cottage. Better for us the supporters as well, we are more likely to see the "star" European players back here in Australia.

Pretty tempted in going to Singapore v Uzbekistan in Singapore.

There new stadium they are looking to build, looks absolutely sensational.