TRICKY DRAW FOR INDONESIA AND SINGAPORE

The Japanese, who came close to winning the crown on several occasions, have been placed in Group F of the qualifiers against Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.

But the road is not easy either for the rest of the ASEAN member nations with Thailand, Laos and Vietnam having to contend with 11-time winners Korea Republic in Group E.

The other teams in the group are Macau and Bangladesh.

Malaysia, Myanmar and the Philippines on the other hand will be up against China – who last won the tournament in 1985 – in Group G with 2006 winners DPR Korea and also Guam.

Only the group winners and runners-up will advance to the main draw alongside the one best third-placed team from the West Zone and one best third-placed team from the East.

AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 QUALIFIERS

Group A – Tajikistan, Jordan, Yemen, Nepal*, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan

Group B – UAE*, Syria, Qatar, Bahrain, Bhutan, Sri Lanka

Group C – Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, India, Afghanistan

Group D – Uzbekistan, Iran, Lebanon, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Pakistan*

Group E – Korea Republic, Thailand*, Laos, Vietnam, Macau, Bangladesh

Group F – Australia, Japan, Indonesia*, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong

Group G – China*, DPR Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Guam, the Philippines

* Group Hosts