Jakarta: The race for the 40th AFC U-19 Championship title has begun as the top 16 teams in the Continent discovered their opponents, following the official draw in Jakarta on Friday.
Indonesia, who will be hosting the prestigious tournament for the third time and having been crowned champions in 1961, will go up against United Arab Emirates, 2014 champions Qatar and Chinese Taipei in Group A.
Defending champions Japan, who earned their first title in the previous edition, will face Thailand, DPR Korea and Iraq, who have won the title five times in Group B.
Twelve-time champions Korea Republic, suffered heartbreak in 2016 when they narrowly missed out on the Knockout Stage due to goal difference, will be aiming to do better against Vietnam, Australia and Jordan in Group C.
Two-time champions and 2016 runners-up Saudi Arabia are grouped with Tajikistan, 1985 winners China PR and Malaysia in Group D.....
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