Hiddink plays down Australia's prospects

OEHRINGEN, Germany, June 11 (Reuters) Australia coach Guus Hiddink said today Japan were favourites to win their opening World Cup clash in Kaiserslautern tomorrow but the Socceroos were still capable of springing an upset.

Hiddink said Australia had already achieved their main goal by reaching the World Cup finals but faced a tough job making the second round after being drawn in the same group as Japan, Brazil and Croatia.

''We are on the edge of the beginning of an adventure with this team but I think the big win for Australian football is being here,'' he told a news conference today.

''Now they can organise and stabilise their competitions and youth development, which I consider very important for the future of Australian football.

Australia last reached the World Cup in 1974.

''Being here is not just about having a good time but also trying to get the unexpected and of course we're aiming to get into the second round.'' The Australians are unbeaten since their penalty shootout win over Uruguay last year that got them into the World Cup, and their results include a 1-0 victory over European champions Greece and a 1-1 draw with the highly-ranked Dutch.

But Hiddink, who took Korea to the semi-finals in 2002, said their lack of experience at World Cups could count against them when they take on the Japanese.

''Japan has much more experience on the world stage, nevertheless this team of Aussies is very competitive.

''If you just go to the statistics or rankings they have achieved a little bit more than Australia in the past years.'' Hiddink still has some concerns over the fitness of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, both based in England.

The two have recently returned from injuries and while they are expected to play against Japan, Hiddink said neither player would be able to last the full 90 minutes.

Striker Mark Viduka will captain the side after recovering from a calf strain that forced him to miss training on Thursday and said the players were confident of a good showing.

''Everybody's a little bit nervous and excited. We've been watching some of the matches already and it's great to know we're going to be involved.

''I think we're just going to play our style. We've been practicing for the last four weeks or so and I think we're confident in out ability.'' Reuters PDS VV1752