Stage set for AFC U-22 draw

AFC – MUSCAT, The stage is set for the official draw of the AFC U-22 Championship 2013 to be held in the Omani capital on Saturday.

A total of sixteen teams – Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Japan Australia, DPR Korea, China, Korea Republic, Myanmar and hosts Oman, who have qualified for the tournament proper, will know their fate in the draw.

“We believe that this historic AFC U-22 Championship will provide a new platform for our young and talented footballers and will help our Member Associations strengthen their national teams,” AFC General Secretary Dato’ Alex Soosay told www.the-afc.com.

“Every alternate edition of this biennial competition will serve as the Asian qualifiers for the Olympics which will ensure that best teams represent the continent at the global stage.

“This will be inaugural edition of the event and the draw in itself will be a historic event. The Member Associations are really keen to put up a good show as this is the second biggest national team competition after AFC Asian Cup,” he added.

The competition will take place in Oman in January 2014.