Without Iran and Oman, Asian U-17 to be an open affair

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 5, IRNA -- With absence of defending champions Oman and runners-up Iran, the upcoming Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-17 Championship in the United Arab Emirates will be an open affair, AFC said in a statement on Monday.
The championship will be held from Sept 6 to 22. Both Oman and Iran, Thailand along with Bangladesh, were banned
from this year's edition because they were found guilty of fielding over aged players at the last championship in Danang, Vietnam two years ago.
"Their respective national associations together with Nepal, who did not co-operate with the age checks, were suspended and
disqualified from this year's tournament," AFC said.
At the draw ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Aug 3 which was conducted by AFC General Secretary Peter Velappan, the favorites for the title, China, Japan and Korea Republic were kept apart from each other.
China were grouped in Group A together with India, host United Arab Emirates and Myanmar.
South Korea whose senior team made headlines at the FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan 2002 by reaching the semi-finals, are with Vietnam, Yemen and Tajikistan in Group B.
Japan who finished third at the last AFC U-17 championship will have the company of Uzbekistan, Syria and Qatar in Group C.
The AFC U-17 finals will be held at two venues in Abu Dhabi's Al Wahda Stadium and Dubai's Al Shabab Stadium.
The top two teams in each group and the two best third placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals in this 12-team tournament.
The champion, runners-up and third placed team of the AFC U-17 Championship will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Championship 2003 in Finland.
Oman emerged as champions in 2000 AFC U-17 Championship by defeating Iran in a closely contested final 1-0.  The Grouping:
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Group A: Myanmar, India, UAE, China
Group B: Vietnam, Tajikistan, Yemen and South Korea
Group C: Uzbekistan, japan, Syria and Qatar