Under Jorvan Vieira, Iraq surprisingly won the tournament in 2007 and yesterday were drawn in a tricky Group D for the 2011 edition with World Cup participants North Korea, Iran and the UAE.

"We are the defending champions and everyone will be keen to dethrone us, but we hope to retain the title. I think Group D is the toughest of all four," Shakir said on the Asian Football Confederation's official website.

"North Korea proved their mettle by qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa, Iran are former champions and have always been strong in the championship and the UAE are former Gulf champions and will be a strong force to reckon with as well.

"But don't forget that we turned in a series of spirited performances in the 2007 edition. We'll hope for a repeat act in Qatar next year."

Australia's second appearance at the Asian Cup sees them drawn in Group C alongside fellow World Cup hopefuls South Korea, Bahrain and India.

"It's an interesting group but then all groups are interesting," said Football Federation of Australia technical director Johan Burger, who attended the draw in Doha.

"Nobody will have it easy at the finals. Australia will have to deliver consistently to excel in the tournament."

Three-time Asian Cup winners Japan and Saudi Arabia are in Group B alongside Jordan and Syria.

"I think we will have no problems with this group," said Japan team director Hiromi Hara. "We will prepare for this tournament well. I think we can get to the final."

Hosts Qatar are in Group A with Kuwait, Uzbekistan and 2004 Asian Cup runners-up China.

"All the teams are even on strength. It's not going to be easy. Iraq went all the way to win the championship when nobody expected them to do so," said Qatar coach Bruno Metsu.

"Everybody wants us to put up a good show. We're confident but we must continue the hard work to live up to the occasion. It's a big stage."

The 2011 Asian Cup gets under way on January 7 with Qatar facing Uzbekistan.