Germany get lucky group in 2006 World Cup
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-12-10 09:45

Hosts Germany are expected to enjoy a plain saling in the World Cup group stage while Argentina and the Netherlands will lock horns in the so-called "group of death", according to the final draw unveiled on Friday.

The toughest section of the draw has Argentina, the Netherlands, Serbia & Montenegro and Cote d'Ivoire matched in Group C.

general view of the stage during the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals draw in Leipzig, eastern Germany, December 9, 2005. Germany, Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador were drawn in Group A for the World Cup finals in Germany. [Reuters]

The Netherlands, who reached the final the last time the World Cup was held on German soil in 1974 and who met Argentina in the World Cup final four years later, were the most dangerous non-seeded floater in the 32-team draw.

They are likely to advance with Argentina from their group but neither will under-estimate World Cup debutants Cote d'Ivoire, or Serbia & Montenegro.

Germany will meet Costa Rica in the opening match of the World Cup finals in Munich on June 9 but concerns about security may overshadow their next match against Poland in Dortmund five days later.

Germany will complete their Group A campaign against Ecuador in Berlin on June 20.

An Ivory Coast soccer fan watches the draw for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany live on a screen in the country's main city of Abidjan December 9, 2005. Argentina, Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro and the Netherlands were drawn in Group C for the World Cup finals in Germany.[Reuters]

Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann said: "It could have been worse. We're happy. We think this group is absolutely do-able. Every opponent will be difficult, every game will be a huge challenge. Ecuador will be tough, they beat Brazil in qualifications. Costa Rica was third behind the U.S. and Mexico and naturally Poland will also be hard."

World champions Brazil begin the defence of their trophy against Croatia in Berlin on June 12 with Japan, coached by former Brazilian great Zico, and Australia making up their quartet in Group F.

Australia, back in the finals for the first time since they were held in West Germany 32 years ago, open their campaign against Japan who they are likely to face on a more regular basis after moving from the Oceania to the Asian confederation earlier this year.

England's coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will face his own countrymen from Sweden in Group B for the second successive World Cup with Paraguay and Trinidad & Tobago making up the group.

The majority of players in Trinidad's squad play their football in England and Dwight Yorke, their most famous player, won the Champions League with Manchester United six years ago.

England, ranked second in the seedings behind Brazil, will meet Paraguay in their opening match in Frankfurt on June 10 before meeting Trinidad in Nuremburg on June 15 and Sweden, who they have not beaten since 1968, in Cologne five days later.

"I talked to the Swedish coach before the draw and we agreed we did not want to meet at this World Cup. But overall we are happy with the draw, its not easy but it could have been worse," Eriksson said.

Familiar foes and neighbors France and Switzerland, who met in Euro 2004 and then both came through the same World Cup qualifying group unbeaten, were drawn together again in Group G, opening their campaigns against each other in Stuttgart on June 13.

France, who went out in the first round as defending champions four years ago, will then meet South Korea in Leipzig before playing African debutants Togo in Cologne on June 23.

Ukraine begin their first World Cup finals against Spain in Leipzig on June 14 in a Group H game with Tunisia and Saudi Arabia completing their section.

Italy, the United States and the Czech Republic, who all met in the same opening round group in 1990, were brought together again with newcomers Ghana completing their Group E.

Italy, bidding to win the World Cup for the first time since 1982, open against Ghana in Hanover on June 12.

The close links between Portugal and its former colony Angola will add spice to their opening Group D meeting in Cologne on June 11 when Angola make their World Cup debut. Seeded Mexico and Iran complete the section.