Australia has been drawn with Germany, Ghana and Serbia in Group D of the 2010 World Cup. au.fourfourtwo.com spoke with the Socceroo skipper shortly after the ceremony in South Africa.

What was your initial reaction as the teams were pulled out?
No real shock. A wry smile in a way. Obviously I knew the draw would be tough no matter who we got. There are no easy teams and in a way slightly pleased that we've got teams that we'll be familiar with their styles and we've played in the past. And if we haven't [played them] we've certainly played teams very similar. So we'll know a lot about each team and each player. And I think with a lot of hard work we've as good a chance as anyone to get out of the group.
Our group, I wouldn't be surprised if any two of the four went through to the next round. Everyone expects Germany but equally everyone in Africa will probably expect Ghana and everyone in Europe will expect Serbia too. And after the last World Cup, no-one will be surprised if Australia goes through. It's a very even group and on their day, any of the four could beat any of the other three.

Is it a group of death as some are saying?
[laughs]. Well you could probably go out and say that about every group. If you look at the Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal group for instance. One of those teams will have to drop out. If you go to a World Cup sooner or later you've got to play the best teams in the group.
You might catch them cold, you might do enough to get through the group, it could breed you with confidence and it could go on and on. But it's always tough. At a World Cup, form goes out the window. Every team has a right to be there and you never know what happens with injuries and form going into it.

You must be excited now you know who we're playing?
Yeah, very proud and excited we've made another World Cup but even more so now we can focus and really visualise who you're going to go up against and what sort of team, where you're going to play them. And I suppose this is where all the dreaming starts, the visualisation and the goal-setting and now it's about the hard work for the next six months with personal dreams and dreams for Australia.
I thought the ceremony was well organised and appears to be a reflection of what's to come. I for one can't wait to get there.

You played against Germany in the 2005 Confederations Cup where we lost 4-3 in Frankfurt. Memories of that game and what can we learn from that?
I remember the game well with Johnny Aloisi scoring two goals. But when we look back at the video, some of the defending was a little below par [by Australia]. I think defensively we've come a long way since then and had the game been played now I'm sure those mistakes wouldn't have been made now. However, it's a long time ago Aidan and the personnel has changed a fair bit in both teams.
But what a great way to open the World Cup. At a 70,000 stadium in Durban against one of the favoured teams for the World Cup and group favourite and yet again, Australia is underdogs and that's the way we like it, having the opportunity to take a point or three against one of the biggest nations in world football and historically probably the most team campaign on campaign in World Cup history. They always seem to get to the latter stages of the tournament and a nation no-one likes to play.

Is it an advantage to the Socceroos playing the Germans first up?
Maybe, maybe not. Maybe they'll be so excited about playing in a World Cup they'll come out on fire. Is there ever a good time to play a team? Maybe, maybe not. Look, a great stadium, great spectacle and taking on a German team packed with stars such as Michael Ballack. It is what it is.

Ghana, a nation from the host continent, that's going to be a heck of a game especially in front of their fans...
Michael Essien is probably the most well known but we played them not long ago [a 1-0 friendly win in Sydney to the Socceroos] but it'll be a much different Ghana at the World Cup. They're very physical and powerfully presented team and technically gifted. That'll be, as you say, extremely tough and either side can win depending on the day. They're one of the stronger African nations and it'll be a battle we should enjoy. Both are quite physical and like to pass the ball.

And Serbia, Australia played them at the Olympics last year, another very technical side with Vidic and Pantelic some big names.. your thoughts?
Yeah, they're one of the dark horses in the tournament. There's Vidic from Man Utd and Krasic from CSKA Moscow he's going to be a player who goes on to a big future. And Ivanovic at Chelsea. They've earnt the right to be there after finishing ahead of France in qualification. They have to be respected but I think an Australian team playing a European style of football against European teams playing a similar style yet again will suit us. We will not fear and we'll go out hoping that we've got something out of the first two games to set ourselves for a win or a draw to possibly set up the next round.

Are we underdogs in the group?
Of course. But that's not to say that we shouldn't go in with confidence. We'll take on any team in the world like we did in the last World Cup. But my message to all Australian is this... the memories of the last World Cup are fantastic and keep them as good memories, but remember as a team and as a country we're back at square one now.
We don't get anything for what we did in Germany 2006 and we must start over again. All the hard work will start again leading up to the 13th of June. There are no easy teams and there are no easy games. And we have to lower the nation's expectations to keep in control of their emotions. It's going to take a lot of their support and our hard work to get out of this group.