Bahrain in tough group for U23 Asian Cup qualifiers

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain has been drawn in a tough Group C for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The draw was held yesterday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and the qualification matches are scheduled to be held in October. Bahrain’s under-23 Olympic teams are set to face their counterparts from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Maldives. Forty-two participating teams were drawn into 11 groups, with 15 spots available at next year’s AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Uzbekistan has already confirmed their place as host, which will be the first time the tournament will be staged in the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Central Zone.

The draw divided the teams into two regions, namely the West Region comprising 23 West, South and Central participating teams; as well as the East Region, which consists of 19 East and ASEAN Participating Teams. The qualifiers are scheduled for October 23 to 31 with the 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams sealing their qualification to the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Group C’s matches are set to be held in Bahrain.

The Bahrainis open their qualifying campaign on October 27 against Afghanistan and then play the Maldives two nights later. They close out the qualifiers against Iraq on October 31. South Korea are the AFC U23 Asian Cup’s defending champions.

The previous edition was held last year in Thailand. The Bahrainis also participated then, but bowed out of contention in the group stage, where they were drawn with Australia, Iraq and hosts Thailand. They ended the competition with two draws and one loss.