2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup draw: Hong Kong to face Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan in qualifiers
- Hong Kong drawn in demanding group, with coach Szeto Man-chiu admitting: ‘There were some weaker teams in the pots, but unfortunately we did not draw them’
- 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams will progress to finals in Qatar
Hong Kong will face three teams from the west zone in the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers, leaving coach Szeto Man-chiu admitting their task may be “very difficult”.
At the draw, made at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, Hong Kong were drawn in group E of the qualifiers with Uzbekistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
“Whether we can make it to the finals in Qatar next year largely depends on the teams drawn from pots 2 and 4, given the pot 1 team should be on a level well above us,” Szeto said.
“Getting Iran from pot 2 and Afghanistan from pot 4 is tough. And Uzbekistan are a powerhouse in Asia.
“We do not play them very often because of most of the junior regional competitions being divided into east and west Asia. But we know they are all difficult teams from their past records. There were some weaker teams in pots 2 and 4, but unfortunately we did not draw them.”
The group matches will be played in Uzbekistan, one of 11 hosts, from September 4 to 12, with all group winners and the four best second-placed teams qualifying for the finals along with hosts Qatar. The finals will follow between April 15 and May 3 next year.