Changzhou: Hosts China PR were drawn with 2016 semi-finalists Qatar, while reigning champions Japan will meet newcomers Palestine after a glittering 2018 AFC U-23 Championship China 2018 draw in Changzhou.
The ceremony, held at the Traders Fudu Hotel’s Zuan Shi Tin Ballroom, separated 16 qualifying teams into four groups for next January’s flagship Asian youth competition.
The hosts â automatically assigned to Group A â will meet Qatar and Uzbekistan after opening their campaign in Changzhou against Oman on January 8.
First-time qualifiers Palestine were drawn with 2016 champions Japan, as well as DPR Korea and Thailand, while fellow debutants Malaysia drew a strong group containing Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The draw produced a number match-ups which are sure to be highly anticipated, none more so than the match between Asian heavyweights Korea Republic and Australia, to be held in Kushan, in a Group D which also contains Syria and Vietnam.
The ceremony also revealed the tournament’s four host cities with Changzhou, Kunshan, Jiangyin and Changshu - all located in Jiangsu Province - to host the tournament’s 32 matches.
“From our hosting experience with the Chinese Football Association, we have no doubt that the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship will raise the bar,” said AFC Competitions Executive Director Shin Man Gil, who conducted the draw.
Changzhou will act as the tournament’s headquarters, and Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre will host nine matches, including the tournament opener between China PR and Oman on January 8th, and the final on January 27th.
The AFC U-23 Championship is second only to the AFC Asian Cup among Asia’s men’s national team competitions, with the 2018 edition the first time it has been held in the world’s most populous country.
Group A
China PR
Qatar
Uzbekistan
Oman
Group B
Japan
DPR Korea
Thailand
Palestine
Group C
Iraq
Jordan
Saudi Arabia
Malaysia
Group D
Korea Republic
Australia
Syria
Vietnam
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com