Nepal faces tough challenge in AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 29: Nepal has been placed in Group A with defending champions North Korea in the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.

The draw for the qualifiers was officially announced on Monday at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Nepal will compete alongside North Korea, Bhutan, Mongolia, and Saudi Arabia in Group A. Bhutan will host the Group A matches.

Nepal exited in the second round of the previous U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in 2024. In 2023, Nepal defeated Palestine and Northern Mariana Islands in the first round to advance to the second round.

This time, the qualifiers will follow a single-round format. A total of 33 Asian nations have been divided into eight groups. Group A has five teams, while the other groups have four teams each.

Group B includes hosts Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic, Hong Kong, China, and Singapore. Group C features Australia, Chinese Taipei, Palestine, and hosts Tajikistan. Group D consists of hosts Myanmar, India, Indonesia, and Turkmenistan.

Group E will see hosts and former champions China PR compete against Lebanon, Cambodia, and Syria. Group F features six-time champions Japan, Islamic Republic of Iran, hosts Malaysia, and Guam.

In Group G, hosts Uzbekistan will face Jordan, Northern Mariana Islands, and Bahrain. Group H includes former champions Korea Republic, Bangladesh, hosts Laos, and Timor-Leste.

According to the AFC, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, and Turkmenistan aim to make their first appearance in the Finals.

The qualifiers will take place from August 2 to 10. A total of 11 nations will qualify for the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, which will be held in Thailand next April. Thailand, as the host, has already qualified automatically.

The winners of each of the eight groups will qualify directly. The three best runner-up teams will also earn a place in the tournament.