Kuwait skipper Bashar Abdullah has tipped AFC newcomer Australia as the Group D favorite but insists that it will be a close fight for the other qualification slot from the "Group of Death" of the 2007 Asian Cup.

As well as Australia, who officially joined the AFC on January 1, 2006, and Kuwait, Asian Cup qualifier in all but one tournament since 1972, Group D features 2004 Asian Cup semifinalist Bahrain and Lebanon, who impressed in its World Cup qualifier.

"Australia are undoubtedly the favorites to win the group but there will be a tough battle for the second spot as the other three teams all have a fair chance to win the other ticket to the finals," Abdullah told footballasia.com.

"It's a very hard group and maybe the toughest," added the 28-year-old, who has represented his country at the last three Asian Cup finals.

"Group C (Jordan, Oman, UAE, Pakistan) is also tough but I think our group is the only group that maybe all the teams have a chance to qualify.

"We have to prepare for every match in a special way and I hope that we'll have good preparation and perform well in the qualifiers," he said.

Kuwait warms up for its Group D opener against Lebanon with a friendly against Singapore on February 2 before entertaining Jordan four days later.

Source: Xinhua