"Blue-Handed" in Group 2 of the "U-16 Asian Cup"

Yaqoub Al-Adwani

The draw for the 11th edition of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Jordan from the 20th to the 31st of this month, has placed the national team in Group 2 alongside Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Meanwhile, Group 1 comprises Jordan, South Korea, Bahrain, India, and Uzbekistan.

The draw was re-conducted after Japan and Chinese Taipei withdrew from the tournament due to current regional circumstances. It was overseen by Jassim Al-Diyab, the technical director of the Asian Football Confederation. In this regard, Al-Diyab emphasized the importance of the tournament, particularly as it serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He also noted that the participating teams are competing for four qualification spots, ensuring fierce competition throughout the event.

Notably, the national team held an internal training camp in preparation for the tournament at the Arena Mall complex, where they played two friendly matches against the Bahrain national team. These matches were led by the new Icelandic coach Stefan Arnarson and national coach Khaled Al-Mulla. The technical staff focused on various physical, technical, and tactical aspects during these sessions, putting the final touches on preparations before departing for Jordan on the 18th to participate in the anticipated tournament.