Socceroos rivalry clash against Japan

by Cindy Tran

Australia were drawn into Group A of the qualifying groups tonight. Pim Verbeek's side will be facing Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar in the final stages of the World Cup qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Verbeek's squad will compete against the Japanese in the final qualifier. The game will be held in Australia next year in June, the same side they defeated in their opening game at the 2006 World Cup and Japan's revenge at last year's Asian Cup.

Australia require to finish in the top two of their group to guarantee an automatic entry to the South Africa in 2010.

Group B consists of South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and United Arab Emirates.

The next qualifying match will be on September 10 against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The Uzbeks won every game in their first round of qualifying but lost in one.

Japan lost just only one match in their group 2 whilst Bahrain was second in the group.

Australia will have their rematch games against both Qatar and Bahrain, have beaten both teams twice in the recent qualifying matches.

"All teams are difficult, we know that. I think we have a very interesting group. We have to work hard, really hard to achieve the final round. All the players know that now after all the experience of the past two years."* Verbeek said after the draw.

Australia's fixtures are as follows:
10 September 2008, Uzbekistan v Australia
15 October 2008, Australia v Qatar
19 November 2008, Bahrain v Australia
11 February 2009, Japan v Australia
1 April 2009, Australia v Uzbekistan
6 June 2009, Qatar v Australia
10 June 2009, Australia v Bahrain
17 June 2009, Australia v Japan.

Cindy Tran ©

* Quote from Pim Believes Home Finale Crucial

* Pictures from Getty Images

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I can already picture 2005 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay happening all over again. Oh dear. I can't wait to attend that match next year. It's going to be another super June. A match against Italy in either June or November next year too. This match against Japan will be a SELL OUT! It's going to be HUGE. I'm already excited! 

The draw was a satisfactory result. It's not really a group of death for the Socceroos, but it's not going to be easy, it's going to be tough and as I've said before... In football, ANYTHING could happen. Every game is a challenge and this will indeed be a very nerve racking match.  

The boys have demonstrated that they could get through Qatar and Bahrain from their previous matches. Hopefully we could do it again. Japan is a huge threat and an extra intimidation to the competition. 

Fingers crossed that the match will be held in Sydney against Japan. The football sensation from 05 is coming back :)

More to follow up later...