India get tough draw for
AFC under-20 finals

India are likely to have a tough campaign in the under-20 Asian Football Confederation championship in the Doha, Qatar, from October 15 to 31.

They are placed in Group B along with powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Japan. Bangladesh is the fourth team in the group.

India will face Bangladesh on October 16, Japan on October 19 and Saudi Arabia on October 22 in their group matches.

India qualified for the finals, winning the Group-IV qualifiers in July this year.

Qatar is placed in Group A alongside Korea Republic, Thailand and Uzbekistan, while Syria, China PR, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates will play in Group C.

Qatar will kick-off the tournament at Doha's Al Arabi Club on October 15, against the South Koreans.

The top two teams in each group plus the two best third-placed sides will advance to the quarter-finals.

The final will be played at the Al Arabi Club on October 31.

Iraq won the last edition of the tournament in 2000, beating Japan 2-1 in the final, in Tehran.

The Groupings:
Group A: Qatar, Thailand, Korea Republic, Uzbekistan
Group B: Bangladesh, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia
Group C: United Arab Emirates, Syria, China PR, Vietnam