Football: South Korea dangerous floaters in Asian Cup draw

South Korea's national football team players run training session at Karaiskaki stadium in Athens on March 4, 2014 one day before the friendly match between Greece and the Repulic of Korea. South Korea will loom as dangerous floaters in the second po
South Korea's national football team players run training session at Karaiskaki stadium in Athens on March 4, 2014 one day before the friendly match between Greece and the Repulic of Korea. South Korea will loom as dangerous floaters in the second pot of teams after 2015 Asian Cup organisers on Monday, March 17, 2014, announced the seedings for next week's draw. -- PHOTO: AFP

SYDNEY (AFP) - South Korea will loom as dangerous floaters in the second pot of teams after 2015 Asian Cup organisers on Monday announced the seedings for next week's draw.

The Taeguk Warriors, one of Asia's top sides who have reached eight consecutive World Cups, were left out of the group of four top seeds due to their current Fifa ranking.

Hosts Australia, three-time winners Iran, defending champions Japan and Uzbekistan make up the first pot of teams, thus avoiding the need to play each other at the group stage.

South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and triple champions Saudi Arabia make up the second group for the draw at Sydney Opera House on March 26.

Oman, China, Qatar and 2007 winners Iraq are the teams in the third tranche with Bahrain, Kuwait, North Korea and the winners of this year's AFC Challenge Cup in pot four.

Australia will hope to use home advantage to win their maiden Asian Cup, while the seedings complicate South Korea's campaign to lift the trophy for the first time since 1960.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.