China face tough group at AFC U23 Championship

The result is shown during the final draw for the AFC U23 Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2019. The final draw for the AFC U23 Championship is held in Bangkok, Thailand, Sept. 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Photo by Rachen Sageamsak)

BANGKOK, Sept. 26 -- China will start their campaign in the AFC U23 Championship from a tough group after the draw for Thailand 2020 Finals was conducted here on Thursday.

The Championship to be played in Bangkok, Buriram and Songkhla, will kick off on January 8 with the final on January 26, 2020. And the top three teams will qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, together with hosts Japan.

China that made it to the championship with an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw, are bracketed in Group C together with the defending champions Uzbekistan, Iran and South Korea.

Hosts Thailand will play 2013 champions Iraq, Australia and debutants Bahrain in Group A. The 2016 champions Japan face Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria in Group B. And Vietnam, 2018 runners-up are in Group D together with DPR Korea, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.