HONG KONG: Southeast Asian champions Thailand will tackle 2011 Asian Cup semi-finalists Uzbekistan within the subsequent spherical of qualifying for the 2023 Asian Cup finals in June.
The pair have been drawn in Group C, which might be performed in Uzbekistan, alongside the Maldives and Sri Lanka within the third spherical of qualifying for the continental championship.
The 24-team finals are as a result of be performed in China in June 2023.
Solely the winners of every of the six teams are assured to advance, with the 5 runners-up with the very best information additionally progressing.
China have already certified as hosts whereas four-time champions Japan in addition to Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Oman, Vietnam and Qatar have already secured their locations.
Two-time quarter-finalists Jordan will meet former champions Kuwait, Indonesia and Nepal in Group A in Kuwait Metropolis whereas Palestine meet the Philippines, Yemen and Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar in Group B.
India will host Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in Group D with Group E being performed in Malaysia, the place the hosts might be joined by Bahrain, Turkmenistan and Bangladesh.
Kyrgyzstan might be joined by Central Asian neighbours Tajikistan in Bishkek in Group F, which additionally options Myanmar and Singapore.
Matches might be performed on June eight, 11 and 14.
Asian Cup Qualifying Draw:
Group A: Jordan, Kuwait, Indonesia, Nepal
Group B: Palestine, Philippines, Yemen, Mongolia
Group C: Uzbekistan, Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka
Group D: India, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Cambodia
Group E: Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh
Group F: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Singapore
