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Australia draw Brazil, Croatia and Japan
Australia were the first nation drawn against defending world champions Brazil this morning as FIFA drew the groups which will feature at the World Cup in Germany next year.
With Brazil automatically placed in group F, Australia in Pot B were drawn against the world number 1 to set up a tantalising "david and goliath" clash on June 22 (June 23 Australian Eastern Time). Along side these two nations are Croatia and Japan who prove a different form of challenge from an Australia point of view.
Japan and Australia play in the first match where the winner will get an important boost as they look for second spot in the group. It's an important match as Australia moves into the Asian confederation as of January 1st, 2006. And despite the Japanese being Asian Cup champions, Australia will fancy their chances of taking all three points. However the squad from the land of the rising sun will also have their eyes on all three points as Zico looks to make his impression on the world stage as a coach.
Brazil plays Croatia first in what will be a keenly fought contest but should go to the samba kings. Croatia will play Japan in the second round and both teams will see this match as a "six point match", possibly even deciding the second place in their own minds.
Australia and Brazil meet in the second round of matches as mentioned and on paper looks like an easy win to Brazil. But Australia has shown resilience in the past with a 1-0 win over Brazil in the 2001 confederations cup and a 0-0 draw in the '97 edition of the same tornament. And with Australia possibly seen as their easier match, Brazil may deem it best to rest key players for this match, potentially opening up a chacne for Australia to sneak some result from the match. It's a long-shot but with Guus Hiddink at the helm, anything is possible.
The final round of matches will see Brazil against Japan in one of the more interesting clashes of the world cup. It'll see Japanese coach Zico try and overcome his homeland in what may become a must-win match for Japan.
Australia Vs. Croatia is sure to be an important match in the fight for second place and could even see the winner go through. With a few of the Aussies with a Croatian heritage, and the odd Croatian that has a bit of Australian blood in them, this match could be fiery and hard fought even if it was to be for nothing. The two most notable players with the cross of national blood are Socceroo captain Mark Viduka and Croatian star Simic, who declined an invitation to play for Australia in preference for Croatia in the past.
Group F looks to see Brazil a certainty. However it's all to play for here as second place is anyone's.
Destiny 06
10 December, 2005 |
