24-11-2023 (BANGKOK) Thailand faces a challenging road in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 as it has been drawn to contend with defending champion Saudi Arabia in Group C. This tournament also serves as the continental qualifying round for the upcoming Olympics in 2024.
The draw, held in Doha, revealed the composition of Group C, featuring Thailand, Saudi Arabia, former champions Iraq, and Tajikistan. Saudi Arabia, the reigning champion, leads the group, with South Korea (2020), Uzbekistan (2018), Japan (2016), and Iraq (2013) also seeking a chance to claim the coveted trophy for the second time.
Group A includes Qatar, Australia, Jordan, and Indonesia, all competing for a spot in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Group B sees Japan as the top seed, facing challenges from South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
Uzbekistan takes the lead in Group D, with Vietnam, Kuwait, and Malaysia as their contenders in the continental showcase scheduled from April 15 to May 3, 2024.
The stakes are high, with the top three finishers securing spots in the Paris Olympics. The fourth-placed team will enter a playoff against an opponent from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for an additional chance to participate in the 2024 Games. As teams prepare for this highly anticipated tournament, fans eagerly await the thrilling clashes and memorable moments that will unfold on the Asian football stage.
