Welcome to Asia: World Cup draw is a cracker.

China, Iraq and Qatar. That's who Australia drew in the 2010 World Cup draw overnight.

And it's a fantastic draw. Not for our chances of going through. Not because all our overseas players won't be turning up for all of the games.

But because every game will be competitive, highly competitive and that after all is why we joined Asia.

And if you think that is a tough group, remember we still have another group to get through if we finish in the top two here.

And Aussies overseas players are already saying they can't come, won't come. It's too far.

How far is Oman or Iraq from Europe? Why can't the Australians overseas make the relatively short trip to West Asia for a World Cup qualifier.

Australians take note: Shunsuke Nakamura has never missed a World Cup qualifier for Japan when selected despite playing for Celtic. And it will be funny if he flies off to Japan and Scott McDonald and his mates at Everton and Middlesboro stay home complaining about their clubs.

And we'll be watching every Asia player in Europe to see if they stay with their clubs instead of flying off for a World Cup qualifier.

If the FFA get the dates right there should be every possibility of many overseas players being available for the West Asia games and then come back for double headers in June when the European season is over.

China will and are improving and will be desperate to get to the World Cup. Iraq a country in disarray but unfortunately or fortunately we know how they can embarrass us.

And Qatar a country rolling in money and imported players.

It will be tough. But it will test Australia and that's how I like my football.

Highly charged, highly competitive. Can't wait.