Six West Asian teams qualify for AFC U-16 finals
Qatar and 10 other group winners joined by four best runners-up and hosts Bahrain in next year’s finals.
Group E toppers Qatar after their big win against Bhutan in their last league match in Doha on Sunday. IQ Photo: Vinod DivakaranThe 16-team field for the AFC Under-16 Championship 2020 was decided on Sunday with the completion of the group matches, played at different venues across the continent.
The 11 group winners were joined by the four best second-placed teams – Yemen, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Oman – with Bahrain taking the 16th spot as hosts.
THE FINAL 16
| Group winners | Tajikistan |
| India | |
| Iran | |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| Qatar | |
| UAE | |
| China | |
| Australia | |
| North Korea | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| Best runners-up | Yemen |
| Indonesia | |
| Uzbekistan | |
| Oman | |
| Hosts | Bahrain |
The finals will be held from September 16 to October 3, 2020.
There are six teams from West Asia, while nine of the 16 finalists have lifted the continental title at least once before.
Defending champions Japan, who have won the title three times, led the group winners as they finished on top of Group J.
Also through as group winners were China, North Korea, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, all of whom have won the title twice each.
Yemen players celebrate a goal during one of their group matches in Doha. IQ Photo: Vinod DivakaranIran, Qatar, Oman and Uzbekistan, who have all emerged champions once each, also advanced to the finals. Iran and Qatar topped their respective groups.
Tajikistan, India, the United Arab Emirates and Australia were also among the group toppers.
Yemen, who finished a close second to Qatar after losing the top spot in Group E on goal difference, will be back in the finals only for the second time after their maiden appearance in 2002.
Indonesia too will be playing in the finals after a long gap. Their last appearance was in 1990.
