Australia handed tough Asian Cup qualifying draw

3rd July, 2008

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Reuters

3rd July, 2008

$The Socceroo\'s Harry Kewell (centre) with his team mates during a training session at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Thursday, June 19, 2008. AAP Image/Dean Lewins$

Australia face a tough route to the 2011 Asian Cup after they were drawn in a qualification group with Oman and Kuwait today.

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The Socceroos, who only reached the quarter-finals in their first time in the competition last year, also play Indonesia in Group B.

Three-times champions Japan must again face Bahrain who they have been grouped with and struggled against in two successive World Cup qualifying campaigns. Hong Kong and Yemen complete Group A.

Group C features Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India while Group D consists of Vietnam, China, Syria and Lebanon. Iran, who won three consecutive titles from 1968 to 1976, drew Thailand, Jordan and Singapore in Group E.

“All groups are equally tough, but I think Group B is a bit stronger,” Iran coach and former player Ali Daei told reporters.
“However, I remain confident of taking Iran to the next round.”

The top two teams from the five groups will join defending Asian Cup champions Iraq, runners-up Saudi Arabia, third-place finishers South Korea and hosts Qatar in the finals along with the winners of 2008 and 2010 editions of Asian Challenge Cup.

North Korea, despite reaching the final round of World Cup qualifiers, must qualify via the Challenge Cup since their ranking was too low to make the Asian Cup draw.

Qualification takes place from Jan 14 next year to March 3, 2010.

2011 ASIAN CUP.
Group A:
Japan
Bahrain
Hong Kong
Yemen

Group B:
Australia
Indonesia
Oman
Kuwait

Group C:
Uzbekistan
United Arab Emirates
Malaysia
India

Group D:
Vietnam
China
Syria
Lebanon

Group E:
Iran
Thailand
Jordan
Singapore

* Automatic qualifiers: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Qatar,
plus winners of 2008 and 2010 editions of Asian Challenge Cup.

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