Australia have been drawn alongside Japan, Iraq, Oman and Jordan in the second stage of Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
At the official draw in Kuala Lumpur, the Socceroos were selected in Group B alongside Asian heavyweights Japan.
But an opportunity to exact revenge against the nation that knocked them out of the running for the 1998 World Cup in dramatic circumstances, Iran, never eventuated for Holger Osieck's side.
With a bye in the first round of the second stage, Australia will open their campaign with a trip to Muscat to face Oman on June 8.
That will be followed by a home fixture against Japan on June 12.
The Socceroos will complete their qualifying campaign with successive home fixtures against Jordan and Iraq on June 11 and 18 2013 respectively.
The top two sides from Group B will earn direct qualification into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, with the third-placed side to play-off against the third side from Group A.
Group A features 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Iran.
