The national soccer team on Friday was placed in a relatively easier World Cup group, brightening the hope of a second-round advance in Germany next year.

South Korea is 29th in the world rankings, far below the group's top seed France (fifth) but ahead of Switzerland (29th) and Togo (56th).

Togo, the second-lowest ranked team among the 32 nations to play in Germany next year, is making its debut in soccer's grand event.

With a win over Togo in its first group game on June 13th, South Korea could secure a berth in the second round with a tie versus France five days later.

France is South Korea's biggest obstacle in the group stage. Going from champion in 1998 to first-round flop in 2002, the French are said to have great players who often do not play well as a team.

France has pressed 1998 World Cup heroes Zinedine Zidane and Lilliam Thurman out of retirement to help its campaign, but still has star strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet.

Switzerland is making its fourth World Cup appearance and first since 1954 after beating Turkey in a playoff.

But Eurosport.com analyst and former Northern Ireland coach Bryan Hamilton calls the team well disciplined and organized and that it has a good belief in its ability, and that the Swiss and the French will take the group's two places into the second round.