Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek targeted an opening victory over the might of Germany after touching down in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

The Australian squad was the first of 31 overseas teams to arrive ahead of the tournament, making them the objects of plenty of attention a fortnight out from the opening ceremony.

There was a widespread mood of "good luck, you're going to need it" about the Socceroos' Australian farewell, but Verbeek was firm in stressing his desire for nothing less than an opening win against the Germans.

"The most important thing for Australia is to win our first match," Verbeek said.

"We have given ourselves plenty of time to prepare and acclimatise to the local conditions.

"I know it is not going to be easy as we have a tough group with some quality teams.

"My players will have to get used to the altitude and the few warm-up matches will help us a lot in achieving this.

"When playing in the World Cup you have to prepare yourself and make sure the team is in good condition."

Dutch coach Verbeek, who quits after the tournament to take up a post in Morocco, also said his squad were excited to be in the first African country staging the tournament.

"I have been in this country eight or nine times already and I have always enjoyed my stays. It is a great country and they have some of the best hotels," he said.

"However, now we are here for a different reason - we are here to compete."

Verbeek's squad will begin training Thursday at a college in an upmarket area of the South African economic capital.

Australia have arranged friendlies against Denmark on June 1 and the United States on June 5 in Roodepoort on the western outskirts of Johannesburg before tackling Germany, Ghana and Serbia in one of the most demanding groups.

The Socceroos confront the Germans first on June 13 at the futuristic 70,000-seat Moses Mabhida Stadium in the Indian Ocean port of Durban, Ghana six days later in Rustenburg and Serbia on June 23 in Nelspruit.

World rankings released Wednesday placed Germany sixth, Serbia 15, Australia 20 and 2010 African Nations Cup runners-up Ghana 32, but the Asian qualifiers are considered the country least likely to dodge the opening-round cull.

Germany, three-time champions in seven final appearances, are overwhelming favourites to top the final table despite the loss of injured midfield orchestrator and captain Michael Ballack from English champions Chelsea.

And many pundits have earmarked the June 13 Pretoria showdown between Ghana and Serbia as the crucial fixture in determining which other team advances from the mini-league.

Mark Schwarzer, the towering goalkeeper from English Premiership club and Europa League runners-up Fulham, acknowledged the underdog role before the Australians left Melbourne.

The month-long World Cup kicks off on June 11 with a Group A clash between South Africa and Mexico expected to lure a capacity 90,000 crowd to Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

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