JAKARTA (25 July 2018) – In spite of the slight ‘re-draw’ to include Palestine and the United Arab Emirates today at the AFC House, hosts Indonesia have drawn the longer stick as they have been placed in the easier Group A.
With five teams in Group A, other than hosts Indonesia, the others are Hong Kong, Laos, Chinese Taipei and Palestine.
In the meantime, ASEAN neighbours Malaysia have not only drawn defending champions South Korea for company in Group E, they have also Kyrgyz Republic, Bahrain and now the United Arab Emirates for company.
The Asian Games is an Under-23 tournament, which allows each country to field three over-aged players, will see a total of 26 teams vying for honours.
Another ASEAN side Thailand are in Group B against Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and Qatar, while Group C will see 2014 bronze medallists Iraq, China PR, Timor Leste and Syria.
Japan were the seeded team in Group D and they were drawn with Vietnam, Pakistan and Nepal.
DPR Korea, the 2014 silver medallists, will face Saudi Arabia, Islamic Republic of Iran and Myanmar in Group F.
The top two teams in each group along with the four best third placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.
