Third-ranked the Czech Republic will take on host Hong Kong SAR's League XI in the 2000 Carlsberg Cup tournament in Hong Kong, according to a draw held in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Defending champion Mexico, which sailed into the second round in the 1998 World Cup finals and beat Bulgaria in the event this year, is to face Asia's ace Japan on February 5 in another semifinal.

The Cup 2000, which is arguably the most renowned annual international football event in Asia, will feature the strongest and highest-ranking line-up of national teams ever to visit the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Hong Kong Football Association, the tournament organizer.

It is the only annual international soccer tournament held in the HKSAR.

The winners of the two semi-finals will vie for the title on February 8.

Brazilian Casemiro Mior, head coach of the Hong Kong League XI, said all the other three teams were stronger than his team, but "I am confident in my team to have a good result" against hot favorite the Czech Republic. (Xinhua)