Team: Australia

Hiddink has his work cut out

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Coach: Guus Hiddink
Captain: Mark Viduka
Winners: Never - Failed to garner a point in their one previous appearance
Pitted against: Brazil, Croatia and Japan
Prospects: Despite the Hiddink factor, the Aussies face a struggle to make it out of Group F
Odds: 80-1

The majority of sports-mad Australians will turn their attention to a whole new ball game this summer when the Socceroos line-up against reigning champions Brazil, Croatia and Japan, writes Paul O'Hehir

Soccer is in the minority Down Under with the the likes of Aussie Rules, rugby league and union, not to mention cricket, dominating but the locals have slowly embraced World Cup fever.

It is the nation's first finals appearance since 1974 and anything will be a marked improvement from that campaign where Australia rolled over and surrendered in all three games, bagging not a single goal.

This time around there is a real feeling Australia - their squad littered with Premiership players - could cause a shock or two and, in the process, heighten awareness of the sport.

The Aussies have been banging on the door in recent years, falling just short at the qualifying stages in 1997 and 2001 when losing play-offs to Iran and Uruguay respectively. That most recent defeat saw boss Frank Farina quit.

Stepping into his shoes was Guus Hiddink, the highly decorated international and club manager with a knack of inspiring 'weaker nations' towards results and performances they never believed attainable.

Indeed, at the World Cup four years ago he steered co-hosts South Korea to fourth spot. While qualification this summer fuels that theory, the Dutchman wont take his foot off the gas just yet.

Hiddink - once linked with the Republic of Ireland and, more recently, the England job - will want to see out his term on a high because he leaves to manage Russia once the finals conclude.

But suggestions of a conflict of interests have been played down by Australian FA boss John Boultbee who is convinced Hiddink's full attention is with Australia.

"We are absolutely certain he will concentrate on the job in hand," he said. "The man is so professional and that will not change."

It is, of course, an injustice to suggest this current Australian side is as unknown as South Korea were four years back.

For so long, the likes of Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell of Liverpool have yearned for an opportunity just like this, as to prove oneself on the biggest stage is the ultimate marker.

Factor in others, such as Everton's Tim Cahill - who is struggling to be fit - and Brett Emerson of Blackkburn and Australia possess key figures to shake and stir the group.

Trouble is, despite flying in under the radar, their opponents will still have the key players comfortably measured up for size.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan), Ante Covic (Hammarby)
Defenders: Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Popovic Crystal Palace), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC)
Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (Basel), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Stan Lazaridis (free agent), Josip Skoko (Stoke City on loan from Wigan Athletic), Mile Sterjovski (Basel), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City)
Strikers: John Aloisi (Alaves), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Archie Thompson (PSV Eindhoven), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough), Josh Kennedy (Dinamo Dreseden)