AFC U-17 Championship: Vietnam, China PR, Bangladesh and Syria drawn in same group

Hosts Singapore find themselves in tough Group A along side title-contenders Korea Republic and Japan for the AFC U-17 Championship to be held here from September 3 to 17. Nepal is the fourth team in this group while defending champions China PR, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Syria complete Group D.

Singapore will open their campaign against Korea Republic on September 3 at the Jalan Besar Stadium while Japan take on Nepal on the same day.

Strong Iran, who are slotted with Yemen, Iraq and Tajikistan in Group B, face Yemen at the Bishan Stadium on the opening day, followed by the match between Iraq and Tajikistan. Last edition”s runners-up DPR Korea, Laos, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia are in Group C while defending champions China PR, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Syria complete Group D.

Top two teams from each group will make it to the last eight stage. The quarter-finals will be played on September 11 while the semi-finals are slated for September 14. The final will be played on September 17 at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Top four teams in this tournament will represent Asia in the FIFA U-17 World Championship to be held in Korea Republic next year. Korea Republic will gain an automatic entry as host in this 24-team event.

AFC