India in tough group for AFC championship

India are likely to have a tough campaign in the under-17 Asian Football Confederation championship in the United Arab Emirates, from September 6 to 22.

They are placed in Group A along with powerhouses UAE and and China. Myanmar is the fourth team in India's group.

The groups:
Group A: Myanmar, India, United Arab Emirates, China
Group B: Vietnam, Tajikistan, Yemen, South Korea
Group C: Uzbekistan, Japan, Syria, Qatar.

Meanwhile, the tournament is expected to be an open affair in the absence of defending champions Oman and runners-up Iran. Both Oman and Iran, and Thailand and Bangladesh were banned from this year's edition because they were guilty of fielding over-aged players at the last championship in Danang, Vietnam, two years ago.

Their respective national associations together with Nepal, who did not cooperate with the age checks, were suspended and disqualified from this year's tournament.

Favourites for the title, China, Japan and South Korea have been drawn in different groups.

For the record, Oman emerged champions in the 2000 AFC U-17 championship by defeating Iran in a closely contested final 1-0.

The tournament will be held at two venues in Abu Dhabi's Al Wahda Stadium and Dubai's Al Shabab Stadium.

The top two teams in each group and the two best third placed teams will qualify for the quarter-finals in this 12-team tournament.

The champion, runners-up and third placed team of the AFC U-17 Championship will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Championship 2003 in Finland.