ManlyBacker
Winging it
Australia will open its World Cup campaign against three-time champion Germany in Durban.
The draw was staged at a glittering ceremony in Cape Town early this morning, with the Socceroos also being pitted against Ghana and Serbia in Group D.
The first match against Germany will kick off on Monday, June 14 at 12:00am (AEST).
The Socceroos then take on Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday, June 16 at 9:30pm before rounding out their group clashes against the Serbs in Nelspruit on Thursday, June 24 at 4:30am.
Sixth-ranked Germany will be the Socceroos' most difficult opponent, having qualified for the last four Cup finals as well as reaching the Euro 2008 decider.
Their last clash was a thrilling 4-3 win for Germany at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Frankfurt.
Ghana joined Australia in reaching the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, while Serbia topped its qualifying group in front of 1998 world champion France.
The Serbs are currently ranked 20th in the world, one place ahead of Australia, while Ghana, which features Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, is 37th.
The draw was staged at a glittering ceremony in Cape Town early this morning, with the Socceroos also being pitted against Ghana and Serbia in Group D.
The first match against Germany will kick off on Monday, June 14 at 12:00am (AEST).
The Socceroos then take on Ghana in Rustenburg on Saturday, June 16 at 9:30pm before rounding out their group clashes against the Serbs in Nelspruit on Thursday, June 24 at 4:30am.
Sixth-ranked Germany will be the Socceroos' most difficult opponent, having qualified for the last four Cup finals as well as reaching the Euro 2008 decider.
Their last clash was a thrilling 4-3 win for Germany at the 2005 Confederations Cup in Frankfurt.
Ghana joined Australia in reaching the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, while Serbia topped its qualifying group in front of 1998 world champion France.
The Serbs are currently ranked 20th in the world, one place ahead of Australia, while Ghana, which features Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, is 37th.