Korea grouped with Argentina, Nigeria in World Cup

South Korea was grouped withArgentina, Nigeria and Greece in Group B at the draw for the first round of next year`s World Cup finals in South Africa held here on Friday, according to Yonhap News.



South Korea, ranked 52nd in the world, opens its World Cup bidwith a match against Greece on June 12 in Port Elizabeth beforeplaying against Lionel Messi`s Argentina in Johannesburg on June18. The 2002 World Cup semifinalist is also scheduled to take onNigeria in Durban on June 23.



Led by coach Huh Jung-moo, the South Koreans secured a seventhsuccessive World Cup finals berth after topping the regionalpreliminary round with an unbeaten record. South Korea, then led byDutch coach Guus Hiddink, reached the semifinals in the 2002showpiece co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.



"All groups seem difficult and I`ve been ready to face a toughgroup. I will prepare well to achieve a goal to advance to the last16 on foreign soil," Huh said after the draw held in front of someof the world`s footballing greats at the Cape Town Convention Center.



"I think we need one win, two draws, or two wins (and) one lossto be alive in the first round. I can`t expect how we will playagainst each team but we`ve got to prepare and study these teams."



North Korea, qualifying for its first World Cup finalsappearance since 1966, was drawn into Group G, one of the toughestgroups in the event. North Koreans will face four-time World Cupchampion Brazil, Didier Drogba`sIvory Coast and CristianoRonaldo`s Portugal.



Japan was drawn against the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmarkin first-round Group E. South Korean footballers are hoping to repeat their 2002 featon African soil next year.



It will be their second encounter with Argentina on the WorldCup group stage.



In 1986, South Korea was drawn into the same group with theSouth American football powerhouse in the Mexico tournament but wasbeaten 3-1. Maradona, currently the coach of the national squad,led his country to the World Cup trophy for the second time in that competition.



Nigeria, ranked 21st, finished Africa`s regional preliminarieswith three wins and three draws, while 12th-ranked Greece beatUkraine in a playoff to earn its berth.



"Our players are doing their best to reach the second round inaway games. I believe that we have a chance," said Huh.



The first World Cup in Africa will kick off on June 11 for amonth-long tournament.



The following is the list of groups for the first round of the

2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.



-Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

-Group B: Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria, Greece

-Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia

-Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

-Group E: Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, Denmark

-Group F: Italy, New Zealand, Paraguay, Slovakia

-Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

-Group H: Spain, Honduras, Chile, Switzerland