185 days to go - the drawcard

So the razzmatazz of the FIFA World Cup 2010 draw is behind us; much has been revealed to the fans that got up early to sit through the glitzy affair.

We now know Charlize Theron is a bit of a ditz. Sepp Blatter’s love of African beauty is a little more carnal than we thought, and from early impressions the hosts are going to put on quite a show for the world.

But that’s not why the keenest of the country’s football fans got up at an ungodly time on Saturday. Their sole interest lay in which teams the Socceroos would have to overcome if they were to repeat their dream 2006 run into the second round of the tournament.

Let’s not beat around the bushveld, for the draw is a stinker; even worse than Pim Verbeek’s comb-over.

As if Springbok rugby captain John Smit, entrusted with picking Australia’s ball from Pot 2 hadn’t dished up enough trauma to Australian sports fans this year, the front-rower’s fat fingers plucked up an unfortunate set for fans hoping to see Australia progress past the group stages.

So this is how group ‘D’ has shaped up. There’s Germany - a footballing superpower, whose record in the tournament is second only to Brazil. Ghana meanwhile are arguably strongest team in the ‘Africa and South American leftovers’ pot; while Serbia may not have been as feared as Portugal and France in the ‘Euro-trash’ pot but on recent form, they’re far tougher opponents. .

There are some positives. Australia has a strong record against European teams; our gritty no-nonsense ‘European’ style of play tends to make us tough opponents for the likes of Germany and Serbia. And Ghana, didn’t we beat them in a recent friendly? We did indeed, but anyone that saw the game will know, that despite the score-line, Australia were ran ragged by the free-flowing Africans.

We Socceroo fans never let a tough draw intimidate us. The 2006 draw was equally daunting with Brazil and Croatia pitted againstus and the boys showed their mettle. Besides - tantalizing high stakes match-ups is why we so desperately want to be at the World Cup. The reward too, should the Socceroos complete Mission Impossible, is appropriate. For awaiting Australia is the second round tie for the ages set to live in Australian football folklore – a clash against the oldest of enemies – England.

The Group D opponents might be tough, but the draw has been kind to Australia in terms of logistics. All three match venues are well within range of the team’s base on the outskirts of Johannesburg. For those travelling to South Africa to follow Australia, here a brief description of what to expect from the three towns were Australia’s games will be played;

NELSPRUIT…

Nelspruit is the gateway to South Africa’s wildlife parks. It’s deep in the picturesque Mpumulanga region in the Northeast of the country and is less than an hour from the gates to the Kruger National Park – an area the size of Wales where lions, leopards and elephants roam. For about $20 one can enter the park by car and spend the day spotting game. The town, a scenic five hours drive from Johannesburg itself is an unexciting ‘dorp’(slang for ‘little town) with little to see and nothing to do.

RUSTENBURG

Thanks to the boom in platinum prices, and all things dug from the ground, Rustenburg is one of South Africa’s fastest growing cities. It’s still not very big though. For tourist’s there are some modern shopping malls, a result of the city’s increasing affluence but the only real attraction is its close proximity to Sun City – an adult theme park resort of casinos, five star hotels and fine golf courses. Most of Sun City is stuck in the forgettable era it was built in- with but the opulence of the Lost City resort must be seen to be believed.

DURBAN

Durban is the third largest city, and is a seven hour drive for 45 minute flight from Johannesburg. The coastal city is warm throughout the year and is surf and sport mad. The locals are fun loving and friendly and its bars and beaches are likely to become extra accommodating during the tournament. The new football stadium may be set to become a white elephant as the rugby fraternity keeps its faith with Kings Park, but by all accounts is a magnificent new venue. Aussie tour operators fearing a lack of accommodation will transform Kingsmead, the hallowed cricket gr