After Turkmenistan, Yemen too withdraws from Asian Games soccer

Doha, Nov 24 (UNI) After the ban on Iran and withdrawal of Turkmenistan, Yemen has also pulled out of the soccer competition of the 15th Asian Games, taking some sheen out of the event.

In a statement, the Doha Asian Games Organising Commitee (DAGOC) said it had officially been informed of the decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Yemen, who were due to play in Group C with Thailand, Kuwait and Palestine, join Turkmenistan in pulling out of the competition.

On Tuesday, Turkmenistan withdrew from Group F, where they would have faced Japan, DPR Korea and Pakistan.

The next day, FIFA banned Iran from international football because of government interference. Iran was in the same Group D with India, Hong Kong and Maldives.

The AFC's new arrangements for the football competion would still see the top two teams in both groups A and B advance to the second round. A draw will be conducted by the AFC Secretariat at Al Gharrafa Stadium on November 25 at 1100 hrs to decide in which round 2 groups the runners-up of Group A and Group B will be placed.

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