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Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has described their 2018 World Cup qualifying draw as a logistical "challenge" with the Socceroos facing long journeys across Asia. The 2015 Asian Cup champions avoided Japan, South Korea and Asia's top-ranked FIFA side Iran as they were drawn against Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh in the first stage of qualifiers through the Asian Football Confederation. The qualifiers for the 2018 tournament in Russia also double as qualifiers for the next Asian Cup -- held in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 -- and Postecoglou is confident despite the travel involved for his side. "The draw is certainly an interesting one and throws up some games against unfamiliar countries but the first phase of qualifying is about us and making sure we maintain our high standards on and off the field," Postecoglou said after the draw in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. "Over the past 18 months we have taken great pride in being the best we can be on and off the field and we will face some logistical and footballing challenges but we will continue to work hard to make sure we are ready for whatever challenges we face." Australia face Bangladesh in Perth on Sept. 3, wth Postecoglou adding: "We now have to prepare for Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, Tajikstan and Jordan and continue our journey. "We have another eight international matches to continue to give the core of the squad more experience while offering some opportunities to younger players to ensure we build depth." Group A: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Timor-Leste, Malaysia Group B: Australia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh Group C: China, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, Hong Kong Group D: Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Guam Group E: Japan, Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore, Cambodia Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei Group G: Korea Republic, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Laos Group H: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Philippines, DPR Korea, Yemen
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