AFC Under-16 Championships: Tough draw for India

The draw for the final round of the AFC Under-16 Championship was held today in the Iranian capital Tehran, which is set to host the tournament from September 22 to October 6, 2012. The India Under-16 boys have been drawn in tough Group D alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and China.

After the group stages which will be played September 22-27, the top two teams from each group (eight teams in total) will qualify for the knockout stages, the quarterfinals (September 30) and then the semifinals (October 3) with the winners advancing to the final (October 6).

The India Under-16 boys had qualified as the second-placed team from a complicated qualifying Group C in Tashkent having beaten Tajikistan, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan; but having suffered a 0-9 loss against the hosts Uzbekistan.

After qualification coach Thomas Joseph had said, "Everyone has made a sacrifice – right from the boys to the team management. All have been away from their families for long. Hence, the satisfaction level stays higher."


GROUP

Group A: Iran, Kuwait, Yemen, Laos
Group B: Australia, Iraq, Oman, Thailand
Group C: North Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Group D: Uzbekistan, Syria, China, India