Despite qualifying for the World Cup 2014 for the fourth time in history, last December Australian fans looked on in horror as the World Cup draw paired Socceroos with the might of Spain, Netherlands and Chile.

This is defending champion Spain and 2010 runner-up Netherlands, alongside South American powerhouse Chile.

The ball is round and everything is possible, they say.

However, the reality is that the Socceroos lack experience in the big games of strong leagues like those in Europe, and are inexperienced World Cup contestants.

Even for the most faithful Socceroos fans, the unlucky draw in a cruel Group B carries grim hopes for the green and gold team.

SPAIN
FIFA world ranking: 1
World Cup appearances: 14
Best finish: Champions (2010)
Leading WC goalscorer: David Villa (8)
The reigning champion may want to defend their title, but this time the task will be a bit harder if they are to become the first ever European team to triumph at the World Cup in South America.
As a matter of fact, no European side has managed to win in the seven World Cups held in North, Central and South America.
La Roja will stay loyal to the players that have allowed it to dominate the global and European football scene over the last five years, under coach Vicente Del Bosque, who masterminded Spain’s campaign in South Africa and led it to a second straight European title two years ago.
With names like Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas, the Spanish squad is almost completely made up of players from FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and the English Premier League, with a couple of Bayern Munich guys – a majority of these players have won more trophies at club and international level than any before them.
The men in red will be headed by captain Iker Casillas, despite his losing his first-team place at Real Madrid.
Brazil 2014 will be La Furia Roja’s tenth consecutive world finals appearance, and 14th in all.

THE NETHERLANDS
FIFA world ranking: 15
World Cup appearances: 10
Best finish: Runners-up (1974, 1978, 2010)
Leading WC goalscorer: Johnny Rep (7)
The Netherlands has always been one of the powerhouses of the European and world football, and the one that never managed to win the World Cup.
With legendary coach Rinus Michels on the bench, the Oranje won their way through to the Final in 1974, only to lose out to the hosts, West Germany. Four years on – the last time the World Cup was held in South America – history repeated itself as they suffered another defeat to the host nation, Argentina. The Final’s heartbreak for a third time came in Johannesburg, four years ago, as they lost the trophy to Spain.
In their first match this World Cup the Oranje will be reminded of that heartbreak loss when they start the competition with a rematch of the 2010 final against Spain in Salvador, on the opening day of the tournament.
And if the Netherlands ever had a chance to win the Mundial, it is with Louis van Gaal on the bench. The Dutch still have many key elements left in their team from Johannesburg four years ago, but van Gaal has also introduced also some new young talents and less experienced players.
The players to keep an eye on in Brazil are striker Robin van Persie, Jermaine Lens – who has progressed into a key part of the Oranje outfit – and Rafael van der Vaart. Arjen Robben will glow on the wing, while Kevin Strootman and Daryl Janmaat are now key components of the side.

CHILE
FIFA world ranking: 13
World Cup appearances: 9
Best finish: Third place (1962)
Leading WC goalscorer: Leonel Sanchez, Marcelo Salas (4)
Chile’s dream of going beyond the last 16 at the World Cup finals will depend on how they perform against 2010 world champions Spain and the runners-up, the Netherlands.
But the South American red team, who entered the top 15 in FIFA’s rankings in October 2013, can never be underestimated nor written off, especially having one of the world’s best strikers, Alexis Sanchez.
Some former players and analysts believe this could be the best ever Chile side, capable of repeating the achievements of the 1962 team – the best in the team’s history – that reached the semi-finals when the World Cup was staged in Chile.
With eight World Cups under their belts, on five occasions Chile failed to progress from the group phase, while at France 1998 and South Africa 2010 they reached the Round of 16. Both times, they were eliminated by Brazil.
With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Eduardo Vargas and Matias Fernandez, outstanding attacking skills and tactical discipline, Chile could cause some surprises.
Out of 14 games Chile played in 2013, they won nine and lost just two: against Peru in the qualifiers in March and in a friendly against Brazil. Among their victories was the excellent 2-0 win over England at Wembley.
If they make it to the second round, Brazil could be in their path and Chileans are not looking forward to it. The World Cup hosts have won nine of their last 10 matches against Chile.