India to face Saudi Arabia , Yemen and Turkmenistan in AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers

2016 champions, Japan, having finally claimed the crown after six previous appearances in the final, will face Thailand, Singapore and Mongolia, who are scheduled to host the Group I qualifiers.

Saudi Arabia, runners-up at the 2016 edition will welcome Yemen, Turkmenistan and India in Group D, while 2016 semi-finalists and Group E hosts, the Islamic Republic of Iran, will meet Palestine, Jordan and Syria.

Meanwhile, Korea Republic, who have won the competition twelve times, will play host to a five-team Group F which also features Malaysia, Timor-Leste, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia.

Ten (10) group winners and five (5) best second-placed teams will advance to finals along with the host country. The AFC U-19 Championship qualifying stage is scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 8, 2017.

AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers Draw

WEST ZoneGroup A:1. Bahrain2. United Arab Emirates3. Oman4. Nepal5. Kyrgyz Republic (Host for qualifiers)

Group B:1. Uzbekistan2. Tajikistan (Host for qualifiers)3. Bangladesh4. Sri Lanka5. Maldives

Group C:1. Iraq2. Qatar (Host for qualifiers)3. Lebanon4. Afghanistan

Group D:1. Saudi Arabia (Host for qualifiers)2. Yemen3. Turkmenistan4. India

Group E:1. Islamic Republic of Iran (Host for qualifiers)2. Palestine3. Jordan4. Syria

EAST ZoneGroup F:1. Korea Republic (Host for qualifiers)2. Malaysia3. Timor-Leste4. Brunei Darussalam5. Indonesia

Group G:1. China PR2. Myanmar3. Philippines4. Cambodia (Host for qualifiers)

Group H:1. Vietnam2. Laos3. Chinese Taipei4. Macau

Group I:1. Japan2. Thailand3. Singapore4. Mongolia (Host for qualifiers)

Group J:1. Australia2. DPR Korea3. Hong Kong4. Northern Mariana Islands