2023 U-20 Asian Cup Draw: Indonesia Joins Uzbekistan, Iraq and Syria in Group A

The Indonesian team entered Group A of the 2023 U-20 Asian Cup. (Photo: Doc. PSSI)

JAKARTA — The draw for the group stage of the U-20 Asian Cup 2023 has been completed. The Indonesian team was included in Group A with hosts Uzbekistan, Iraq, and Syria.

The draw was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Wednesday, October 26 at noon WIB. Indonesia confirmed itself to qualify for this championship with the status as the winner of Group F in the qualification that was held last September in Surabaya.

Another tough opponent will be faced by representatives of Southeast Asia, namely Vietnam. The Vietnam national team occupies Group B along with strong names such as Qatar, Australia, and Iran.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, which is the defending champion, fills Group D. In the same group there are Japan, China, and Kyrgyzstan.

Then South Korea's most successful team, which collected 12 titles in the history of the competition, made it to Group C. This is an easy group because it is only inhabited by Tajikistan, Jordan, and Oman.

Next year's 2023 Asian U-20 Cup will be the 41st edition (including the previous editions of the AFC Youth Championship and AFC U-19 Championship). Next year will be the first edition of the biennial age group competition to be played as an Under-20 tournament.

A total of 16 teams will compete in the tournament. The four semifinalist teams will automatically qualify for the 2023 U-20 World Cup which will be held in Indonesia as representatives of the AFC.

Indonesia itself has automatically qualified for the U-20 World Cup because of its status as the host. If Indonesia manages to reach the semifinals in the Asian Cup, the play-in repechage will be between the two best quarter-finalists.

Currently, Indonesia is preparing in Turkey to face the Asian Cup and World Cup next year. In addition to training, Shin Tae Yong's squad will also undergo several trials with local teams.

The following is the complete draw for the U-20 Asian Cup 2023:

Group A

Uzbekistan

Indonesia

Iraq

Syria

Group B

Qatar

Australia

Vietnamese

Iran

Group C

South Korea

Tajikistan

Jordan

Oman

Group D

Saudi Arabia

Japan

China

Kyrgyzstan