Nepal facing defending champions in U20, U17 Asian Cups qualifiers

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 14: Nepal is facing the defending champions in two different tournaments – AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers and AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers – slated for September and October. 

Nepal’s opponents in the group stage of the qualifiers for the U20 and U17 Asian Cups were finalised after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted two separate draws at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday. According to the AFC, there are 45 teams divided into 10 groups – five of four each and five of five each - with the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be played between September 21 and 29.

Nepal has been drawn into Group B with four other teams – Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei and Cambodia. The matches of Group B will be hosted by Chinese Taipei. It is not an easy group for Nepal as Uzbekistan, the defending champions, is also in the group. Nevertheless, Nepal will be competing in the SAFF U20 Championship as the country is hosting the tournament in August.

Meanwhile, there are 43 teams in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers. The 43 teams have been divided into 10 groups - seven of four each and three of five - with the Qualifiers to be played between October 19 and 27. While Nepal was drawn into a group of five teams in the U20 Qualifiers, Nepal has been drawn into a group of four teams in the U17 Qualifiers.

In the U17 category, Nepali is in Group F with Japan, Qatar and Mongolia. Japan is not only the defending champion but four-time winner of the tournament. The group stage matches will be hosted by Qatar. Before the U17 Qualifiers, Nepal will participate in the SAFF U17 Championship to be held in Bhutan between September 18 and 28.

According to the AFC, the 10 group winners and five best second-placed teams in both the qualifiers will advance to the AFC Asian Cup in the respective categories.