Iran learns fate at AFC U-20 Futsal Championship draw

Tasnim – KUALA LUMPUR, 2019 host and title holder of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship Iran will face Afghanistan and Hong Kong in Group A, following the official draw ceremony that took place at the AFC House on Thursday.

The Group A tie will be a rematch between the two Central Asian sides, having met previously in the Central Zone Qualifiers last December with Iran emerging as 4-2 victors.

They are also joined by Hong Kong, who will be making its first-ever appearance in the tournament, the-afc.com wrote.

Thailand, host of the inaugural edition and third place finisher two years ago, will be joined by 2017 quarter-finalists Lebanon and Kyrgyz Republic in Group B.

For Japan, Vietnam and Tajikistan, who were drawn into Group C, it will be a meeting of familiar foes, as the three teams played against one another in the inaugural edition of the tournament, with the Samurai Blue eventually claiming a top eight finish.

Iraq, the 2017 runner-up, will aim to outdo its previous best as it goes up against Indonesia, as well as Chinese Taipei, who booked its spot in the 2019 Final as the East Zone Group B winner.

The second edition of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship will be held in the city of Tabriz, northwest Iran, from June 14 to 22.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.