Qantas Young Socceroos get fair draw for AFC Championship

2 min read 9 April 2008

The Qantas Young Socceroos (Under 19) have drawn Jordan, Thailand and Uzbekistan in the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Under 19 Championship to be held in Saudi Arabia later this year.

The top two teams in the group will progress to the quarter finals and meet those teams who progress from Group C which contains DPR Korea, China, Tajikistan and Lebanon. Groups A and B contains the likes of South Korea, Iraq, Japan, Iran and host-nation Saudi Arabia.

The four semi-finalists of the AFC U-19 Championship will represent Asia at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt next year.

The Qantas Young Socceroos commenced their road to the World Cup after progressing past the first stage of qualification last November.

A number of Hyundai A-League players have already featured in the campaign to date including recently capped Qantas Socceroo James Holland and Newcastle Jets team mate Jason Hoffman, Queensland Roar attacking pair Tahj Minniecon and Mitch Nichols, Adelaide United's Matthew Mullen, Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne plus Melbourne Victory duo Sebastian Ryall and Nathan Elasi.

All matches in the AFC U-19 Championship will be played at the Prince Mohamed Bin Fahd Stadium (Groups A and C) in Dammam and the Prince Saudi Bin Jalawi Stadium in Al Khobar (Groups B and D) from 31 October to 14 November 2008.

AFC U-19 Championship - Group D:

Australia v Thailand Saturday 1 October

Australia v Uzbekistan Monday 3 November

Australia v Jordan Wednesday 5 November

Quarter Finals Saturday 8 November

Semi Finals Tuesday 11 November

Final Friday 14 November

AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2008 FINALS DRAW

GROUP A 1. Japan 2. Saudi Arabia 3. Iran 4. Yemen

GROUP B 1. Korea Republic 2. Iraq 3. UAE 4. Syria

GROUP C 1. DPR Korea 2. China 3. Tajikistan 4. Lebanon

GROUP D 1. Jordan 2. Australia 3. Thailand 4. Uzbekistan