Roos World Cup Group Announced

The draw for the confederation qualifiers took place in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, at an event hosted by Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke along with Brazilian football legends Cafu, Neymar, Zico, Lucas, Bebeto, Felipe Bastos, Ronaldo and Ganso.

Africa was first before Australia learned its fate when the Asian Football Confederation third round of qualifying was announced, with the 20 remaining Asian nations divided into five groups of four, with the top two from each group to progress to the final fourth round.

And Australia received an interesting draw in Group D, where they will face three-time Asian champions Saudi Arabia who are currently coached by former Socceroos target Frank Rijkaard.

The Socceroos will also meet 2009 Gulf Cup of Nations winners Oman, who ironically are managed by another coach formerly linked with the Australia job, Paul Le Guen.

Thailand, who Australia faced at the 2007 Asian Cup, round out the group.

The draw means the Socceroos will face two difficult away games in the Gulf.

Saudi Arabia, who had a forgettable 2011 Asian Cup campaign where they went home without a point and a coach, are currently ranked 92nd in the world, with Oman at 107 and Thailand at 119.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck, who is currently in Manizales to watch the U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011, is looking forward to the start of the campaign.

“Now we are aware of which teams we will be playing in qualification,” Osieck said shortly after the draw was announced.

“Our first step is to collect all necessary information about our opponents so we are fully prepared for the matches. We will start our preparations when we get the team together in Wales for our friendly match and then it’s just a short time before our first match against Thailand."

The Socceroos are scheduled to play their first match of the third round at home against Thailand on Friday 2 September 2011 and then Saudi Arabia away on Tuesday 6 September 2011.

Matchday three in October sees the Socceroos host Oman. In November the Socceroos will play two away games against Oman and Thailand on November 11 and 15 respectively.

The Socceroos final match of the third round of Asian Qualifiers will be against Saudi Arabia at home on Wednesday February 29 2012.

All venues and kick-off times are expected to be confirmed by the AFC by the end of August 2011.

2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Round Draw 

Group A
China
Jordan
Iraq
Singapore

Group B
South Korea
Kuwait
United Arab Emirates
Lebanon

Group C
Japan
Uzbekistan
Syria
North Korea

Group D
Australia
Saudi Arabia
Oman
Thailand

Group E
Iran
Qatar
Bahrain
Indonesia

2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Round - Match Schedule

Group D: