Doha: The Indian Men's football team were drawn in a tough group of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The Blue Tigers were placed alongside Australia, Syria and Uzbekistan in Group B. The competition is slated to be held in Doha in January next year.
Notably, India had a successful qualifying campaign for the continental tournament for which they have qualified for the second successive time. They were placed in pot 4 of the draw that was held in the capital of Qatar.
Twenty-four teams were divided into four pots, and drawn into six groups of four teams each for the tournament that was originally scheduled to take place in China this summer.
Even though their participation in the tournament in Doha will be their fifth appearance in the competition, this is the first time that the Blue Tigers have made it in the event in back-to-back editions.
In the last edition, India started with a convincing win against Thailand but lost their last two matches to bow out of the tournament after raising hopes.
Qatar as hosts were automatically drawn in Group A and will play the tournament opener.
Iran were placed in Group C as Japan were drawn in Group D. South Korea were placed in Group E while Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group F.
Groupings: Group A – Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon Group B – Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India Group C – Iran, UAE, Hong Kong, Palestine Group D – Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam Group E – South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain Group F – Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic, Oman.
(With Inputs From PTI)