Vietnam, Japan drawn together in AFC U20 Futsal Championship

Vietnam will face Japan and Tajikistan in Group C of the 2019 AFC U20 Futsal Championship following the official draw in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 11.

Vietnam (in red) will resume their meeting with Japan in the 2019 AFC U20 Futsal Championship.
Vietnam (in red) will resume their meeting with Japan in the 2019 AFC U20 Futsal Championship.

This will be the reunion of familiar foes, as the three teams played against one another in the inaugural edition of the tournament in Thailand two years ago. At that time, Vietnam lost 1-3 to Japan and beat Tajikistan with a score of 4-2.

Reigning champions Iran are expected to face little challenge from Afghanistan and Hong Kong (China) in Group A.

Meanwhile, 2017 runners-up Iraq will surely eye top spot in Group D with the presence of Indonesia and Chinese Taipei as well.

Southeast Asia’s title favourites Thailand will be joined by Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan in Group B.

The draw results of the 2019 AFC U20 Futsal Championship.

The second edition of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship will be held in Iran’s Tabriz city from June 14 to 22. The teams will play in a round robin tournament to decide the top two performers from each group, who will then advance to the quarter-finals.

As planned, Vietnam’s U20 futsal team will convene in mid-May, after the conclusion of the first leg of the 2019 HDBank National Futsal Championship. They will have more than a month to prepare for their Asian campaign.