INDIA WERE ASSIGNED tough groups in the upcoming AFC U-17 & U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the official draw held in Kuala Lumpur today.
The U-17 Blue Colts were placed in a group with Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Maldives and Kuwait in Group D. The matches will be held in Saudi Arabia.
The U-17 continental championship was held last time in 2018, when it was an U-16 tournament. India had a historic performance there, reaching the quarter finals where they lost to South Korea 1-0. Had they won that match they would have become the first Indian team to qualify for a World Cup competition by merit.
In the AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, India once again got a tough draw being placed in Group H along with Australia, Iraq and Kuwait. Iraq are the designated host country of this group.
Last time the tournament was held (As U-19) was in 2018. India were eliminated in the qualifiers.
The group stages of the U-17 qualifiers will take place in October while the U-20 team will be in action between 10th & 18th September 2022.