Australia eased through the Asian qualifiers, booking their place in South Africa with two games to spare.

After only just managing to top their first qualifying group, they made light work of the second, finishing five points clear of closest rivals Japan.

Under Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, they conceded just one goal in eight matches. It is obvious that their campaign in South Africa will be built around a strong backline and a physical approach, with captain Lucas Neill exemplifying this game plan.


It worked in qualifying, but can the Australians hone their game sufficiently to take on nations from other continents?

Their group is taxing to say the least, as they open against Germany, and also face Ghana and Serbia. It looks a real dogfight, to get out of this group, but in the likes of superb Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, tenacious Everton midfielder Tim Cahill and Galatasaray star Harry Kewell, Verbeek will believe another second round showing is not beyond them after achieving that feat in 2006.

Australia made great strides under Guus Hiddink four years ago and were unlucky to be eliminated by Italy, after the Azzurri won a dubious penalty in injury time. But Australia, despite a solid showing, lacked ambition against a team with 10 men and Verbeek will surely look for more of a killer instinct from his side should they find themselves in the same position.

Quick Facts:

• Best World Cup Result: Second-Round (2006)
• Best Oceania Cup Result: Winners (1980, 1996, 2000 and 2004)
• Record Scorer: Damian Mori (29 goals between 1992 and 2002)

• Most Capped Player: Alex Tobin (87 caps between 1988 and 1998)
• Coach: Pim Verbeek
• Captain: Lucas Neill

23-man Australia World Cup Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Adam Federici (Reading), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United)

Defenders: Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), David Carney (FC Twente), Lucas Neill (Galatasaray), Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira), Craig Moore (unattached), Mark Milligan (JEF United), Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow)

Midfielders: Mark Bresciano (unattached), Tim Cahill (Everton), Jason Culina (Gold Coast Utd), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Richard Garcia (Hull City), Vince Grella (Blackburn Rovers), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar), Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor Kulubu), Carl Valeri (US Sassuolo Calcio), Dario Vidosic (FC Nurnberg)

Forwards: Joshua Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray), Nikita Rukavytsya (FC Twente)

Group Matches:

Sunday, June 13, 2010 v Germany
Saturday, June 19, 2010 v Ghana
Wednesday, June 23, 2010, v Serbia

Prediction: First-Round

This looks like the kind of group that could go down to the wire. Australia, Ghana and Serbia all have different strengths, but look well matched on paper. Germany look like taking one of the positions, but Serbia and Australia are very solid defensively and it is those strengths that could see the group not decided until the final day. Ghana possess more flair, but perhaps less defensive solidity. On their own continent, and with a fanatical support, they may just edge it, however.
To find out more about the tournament, visit the World Cup section.