"I am sure that we are a very, very difficult team to beat, and I think the opponents know that," said Advocaat, who has seven wins, three losses and two draws since October.

Before the last World Cup, Hiddink's squad opened the year with two wins, four losses and two ties on the road before two home wins, two draws (including 1-1 against England) and a 3-2 loss to then-defending champion France.

That, and five months of almost military-style training in South Korea, proved the perfect buildup.

"We can't say that we'll be the No. 4 again ¡ª we need luck like we had in 2002 ¡ª (but) we'll try the same," Verbeek said. "We must go for the highest possible."

South Korea is in Group G with France, Switzerland and Togo.

Choi Jin-han, among Hiddink's assistants in 2002, said the Korean team "has accumulated a great deal of experience in competing with major teams" and is a strong quarterfinal contender.

"I believe Korea will enter as a quarterfinalist if it wins the first game against Togo," Choi said. "Korean players have a tendency to excel if they win their first game."

Hiddink's Australian squad is in the same group as Japan, defending champion Brazil and Croatia.

Brazilian great Zico is coaching Japan, hoping that his on-field success will transfer to the sideline. He took over four years ago from Philippe Troussier, who guided Japan into the World Cup's second round.

Since then, Japan has retained the Asian title, lost only one of 12 World Cup qualifying matches and was the first team ¡ª apart from the hosts ¡ª to secure a place in Germany.

"The players have become much more mature," since 2002, Zico said, "and we'll be heading to Germany with confidence."

Because Japan faces Brazil last in the group games, Zico said it's critical to start with a win against Australia on June 12.

"It's almost guaranteed that Brazil will go through, so the other teams each have a 33 percent chance to advance."

Japan boasts the most potent midfield lineup in Asia, comprising Europe-based Hidetoshi Nakata, Shunsuke Nakamura and Shinji Ono, but lacks firepower up front.

The other Asian nations at the finals are Saudi Arabia in Group H with Spain, Ukraine and Tunisia, and Iran in Group D with Mexico, Portugal and Angola.

The Saudis were unbeaten in Asian qualifying, including home and away wins over South Korea, and will be hoping to replicate their performance from 1994, when they beat Belgium and Morocco to make the second round.

Iran is ranked 23rd in the world, but is in a difficult group.