Qatari players sing their national anthem before the Asian Football Confederation Under-19 Championship semi-final match against Myanmar at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium in Yangon in this October 2014 file photo.
MANAMA, Bahrain: Defending champions Qatar, who will be hoping to emulate their success in Myanmar two years ago, will begin their title defence against Islamic Republic of Iran on the opening day of the AFC U-19 Championship today.
The tournament kicks off today with Korea Republic taking on Thailand while hosts Bahrain prepare to face Saudi Arabia in Group A.
Iran, Japan and Yemen are along side Qatar in Group C.
Qatar face Yemen on October 17 and Japan on October 20 in the preliminary stages of the tournament.
Qatar won the 2014 edition in Myanmar by beating North Korea in the final.
Qatar, the champions in 2014, later qualified to play the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in New Zealand.
Excitement is starting to build as Asia’s top 16 teams prepare to battle for continental supremacy from October 13-30 in the latest edition of the event which is being held in Bahrain.
Teams will also be hoping to join Korea Republic who have already qualified as hosts of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, for the four available Asian slots at the championship.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has rallied on the continent’s future stars to showcase their promise.
“In the AFC’s Vision and Mission, we have reinforced our commitment to organise quality competitions to ensure the success of our teams and players,” Shaikh Salman said.
“Asia is home to some of the world’s finest young talents and I am confident that the AFC U-19 Championships Bahrain 2016 will provide an invaluable platform, not only to further develop their abilities but also to strengthen the foundations for Asian players and teams to perform on the world’s biggest stages.
“I wish all the teams the very best of campaigns and I would also like to commend the Local Organising Committee for its meticulous attention to detail, preparing for a successful 2016 edition of one of the oldest youth tournaments in the AFC competitions calendar,” he said.
Since the inauguration of the Championship in 1959, Korea Republic have been the most successful team with 12 titles in a record 36 tournament appearances.
Closing in on that appearance record are Japan who have participated in 35 championships, though interestingly, are still looking to capture their first crown. Three additional play-off matches will be organised among the four quarter-final runners-up to determine the fifth and final place allocated to Asia, should Korea Republic finish among the championship’s top four teams.
The final will take place on October 30 at the Bahrain National Stadium.
