Defending champions Japan will begin their bid to defend their AFC Futsal Asian Cup title in Group H of the 2024 Qualifiers while Islamic Republic of Iran’s aim for a 13th crown will start in Group C.
A total 31 teams were drawn into eight groups with the eight group winners and seven best second-placed teams among all groups qualifying for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024.
These 15 teams will join the Host Member Association (MA), to be determined at a later stage and who will receive automatic qualification, to form the final cast at the tournament
The Qualifiers draw, conducted at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, saw hosts Thailand, the 2008 and 2012 finalists, Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China and China PR drawn in Group A.
Group B has hosts Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Macau while the four teams in Group C are IR Iran, Lebanon, hosts Kyrgyz Republic and Maldives.
Group D will see Vietnam, Korea Republic, who reached the final in 1999, Nepal and hosts Mongolia facing off to advance with hosts Tajikistan, Myanmar, Palestine and India the Group E hopefuls.
Kuwait, hosts Bahrain, Timor Leste and Brunei Darussalam were drawn in Group F with hosts Uzbekistan and four-time runners-up, Iraq, Malaysia and Cambodia the Group G cast.
The three-team Group H sides are Japan, hosts Chinese Taipei and Australia with the Qualifiers to be played on October 7 to 11 this year.
DRAW RESULT
Group A: Thailand (H), Turkmenistan, Hong Kong, China, China PR
Group B: Indonesia (H), Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Macau
Group C: Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Maldives
Group D: Vietnam, Korea Republic, Nepal, Mongolia (H)
Group E: Tajikistan (H), Myanmar, Palestine, India
Group F: Kuwait, Bahrain (H), Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam
Group G: Uzbekistan (H), Iraq, Malaysia, Cambodia
Group H: Japan, Chinese Taipei (H), Australia
Source: Bahrain News Agency