Group B: ROK put brave face on draw

South Korea put on a brave face on their draw for next year's World Cup finals despite the prospect of facing formidable sides Argentina and Nigeria.

"This is not the best scenario but definitely not the worst," Yonhap news agency said after the Republic of Korea (ROK) were drawn in a group that also includes Greece. "The path for South Korea toward the last 16 will not be smooth but we still can hold out hope."

Former ROK coach Dick Advocaat said his former charges had no luck in the draw.

"This is a tough group. Argentina and Nigeria are too strong for South Korea," he said, adding the two countries were likely to advance to the quarterfinals.

South Korea, semifinalists on home soil in 2002, overcame a sluggish start under new coach Huh Jung-moo but eventually qualified with two games to spare to reach their eighth finals - an Asian record.

"We were drawn in the so-called Group of Death in Asian qualifying and we made it through," said Huh.

"We believe we can do the job again in South Africa. I will go back to South Korea and start working on our strategy."

Source: Agencies