By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

South Korea has been drawn with Argentina, Nigeria and Greece in Group B at next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The Korean team will open the tournament with Greece at 11 p.m. on June 12 (KST) Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth and then meet Argentina at 3:30 a.m. on June 18 at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg and Nigeria at 3:30 a.m. on June 23 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

It is the first time since 1986 for the Asian country not to meet two European teams in the group stage.

Unlike the kind draw for the Huh Jung-moo's side, other Asian representatives have faced strong opponents.

North Korea has been drawn into the toughest pool with football powerhouses Brazil, Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire in Group G, while Japan will play the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon in Group E.

Australia belongs to Group D with Germany, Serbia and Ghana.

Eighth-ranked Argentina, headed by Diego Maradona, is a 15-time qualifier and two-time World Cup winner in 1978 and 1986.

The Nigerian team, sitting 22th in the FIFA rankings, has reached the four World Cup finals in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 and its best finish was two second-round appearances.

No. 12 Greece, the Euro 2004 champion, just appeared in the 1994 event, where it crashed out.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr