Asian Youth (U-20) to kick off from October 29

Bangalore, Oct 23 (UNI) Hosting of the Asian Youth (Under 20) Football Championship by India will give not only a fillip to the game in the country but also enable the country get more challenging international tournaments here, All India Football Federation President Priyaranjan DasMunishi said today.

Talking to newsmen here, after reviewing the preparations for the Bangalore leg of the youth football championship, Mr DasMunshi said the event would be held simultaneously in Bangalore and Kolkotta, while teams from Group 'A' and Group 'B' will be playing at Kolkotta, Group 'C' and Group 'D' teams would vye for a place in the quarter final in Bangalore.

In the first match here at Sri Kanteerava Stadium, Japan will take on DPR Korea.

India is hosting the Asian Football Championship for the first time, he said adding that the successful conduct of it may bring in more challenging tournaments.

He said the event would be a qualifying one for selecting Asian teams for the World Under 20 Championship. Besides a cream of talented youngsters may get boost and may figure in the 2010 World Cup 2010.

Prominent teams such as Iran Saudi Arabia, Japan and DPR Korea would be playing in Bangalore, while the Indian team would be playing in Kolkotta. He said the Indian team is back from Laos after practice matches. All the boys are fit and no one is in the sick list, he added.

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