NEWS

Japan will play China, Turkmenistan and Iraq in Group D of the AFC Futsal Championship on May 23-30 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, it was announced at the draw on Friday.

Japan, who won the biannual tournament in 2006 in the Uzbek capital, will meet the semifinalists from the last tournament, China, on May 23, followed by Iraq on May 24 and Turkmenistan on May 25.
The top two finishers from each group will advance to the quarterfinals on May 27. The semifinals will take place on May 28 and the final and third-place playoff on May 30.
Hosts Uzbekistan will compete against Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Lebanon in Group A, while Iran, who won the 2008 edition, have been drawn to Group B along with Kuwait, Australia and Tajikistan. Thailand, the 2008 runners-up, will play Vietnam, Korea Republic and Kyrgyzstan in Group C.

Draw:
Group A — Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Lebanon
Group B – Iran, Kuwait, Australia, Tajikistan
Group C – Thailand, Vietnam, Korea Republic, Kyrgyzstan
Group D – Japan, Turkmenistan, Iraq, China