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2011 Asian Cup: Tough Draw Sees India Grouped With Korea Republic, Australia
Lady luck didn't smile on India...
23-Apr-2010 10:43:00 PM
Goal.com India
India were handed a tough draw in the 2011 Asian Cup on Friday night, as the Men in Blue were grouped along with continental heavyweights Korea Republic and Australia in Group C. Bahrain completed the group, which probably was one India would have hoped to avoid.
The event took place at the Aspire Dome in Doha, Qatar, where delegations from each of the 16 participating nations had arrived to witness the draw. As the hosts commenced the programme at around 2130 hrs IST, the delegation from India, including national coach Bob Houghton and Shillong Lajong General Secretary Larsing Ming Sawyan, took their seats.
After the initial speeches by officials, including AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammamm, and a few videos on Asian football, the draw began, with Qatar already placed in Group A by the virtue of being hosts.
Joining them in the group are Kuwait, China PR, and Uzbekistan, making it relatively one of the easier groups in the competition.
Group B started with 2007 finalists Saudi Arabia being picked from Pot 1, and thereafter, heavyweights and three-time champions Japan, Jordan, and Nehru Cup finalists Syria were drawn in the group, making the Saudis and the Japanese outright favourites to proceed from the four.
Korea Republic head Group C, where India were drawn from Pot 4, and after Bahrain were picked from Pot 3, the Aussies emerged from Pot 2 to make it one of the toughest possible draws India could have imagined. While Australia are ranked 19 in the FIFA rankings, Korea Republic are 49th, while Bahrain are 67th. On the positive side, India will be coming up against two World Cup sides in the tournament, which should be two glamour ties for a team that rarely plays internationals.
Group D paired Iran with neighbours, rivals, and defending champions Iraq together, in what should be a mouth-watering tie, while DPR Korea and UAE complete the group.
Goal.com will get you the latest in terms of reactions from Indian players and officials on the draw. The final summary of groups is as below:
The event took place at the Aspire Dome in Doha, Qatar, where delegations from each of the 16 participating nations had arrived to witness the draw. As the hosts commenced the programme at around 2130 hrs IST, the delegation from India, including national coach Bob Houghton and Shillong Lajong General Secretary Larsing Ming Sawyan, took their seats.
After the initial speeches by officials, including AFC President Mohammed Bin Hammamm, and a few videos on Asian football, the draw began, with Qatar already placed in Group A by the virtue of being hosts.
Joining them in the group are Kuwait, China PR, and Uzbekistan, making it relatively one of the easier groups in the competition.
Group B started with 2007 finalists Saudi Arabia being picked from Pot 1, and thereafter, heavyweights and three-time champions Japan, Jordan, and Nehru Cup finalists Syria were drawn in the group, making the Saudis and the Japanese outright favourites to proceed from the four.
Korea Republic head Group C, where India were drawn from Pot 4, and after Bahrain were picked from Pot 3, the Aussies emerged from Pot 2 to make it one of the toughest possible draws India could have imagined. While Australia are ranked 19 in the FIFA rankings, Korea Republic are 49th, while Bahrain are 67th. On the positive side, India will be coming up against two World Cup sides in the tournament, which should be two glamour ties for a team that rarely plays internationals.
Group D paired Iran with neighbours, rivals, and defending champions Iraq together, in what should be a mouth-watering tie, while DPR Korea and UAE complete the group.
Goal.com will get you the latest in terms of reactions from Indian players and officials on the draw. The final summary of groups is as below:
| Group A |
Group B |
| Qatar |
Saudi Arabia |
| Kuwait |
Japan |
| China PR |
Jordan |
| Uzbekistan |
Syria |
| Group C |
Group D |
| Korea Republic |
Iraq |
| India |
DPR Korea |
| Australia |
UAE |
| Bahrain |
Iran |
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