Australia was handed an early challenge against fellow heavyweight the Republic of Korea at next year's Asian Cup as the host got a difficult draw at a lavish ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday.

The Socceroos, who have never won the Asian Cup and are hosting it for the first time, will open the tournament against Kuwait in Melbourne on Jan 9, and will also face Oman in Group A.

While Australia and the ROK, which has reached eight consecutive World Cups, will be confident of reaching the knockout stages, neither team can afford any slip-ups.