Indian football team starts campaign against Kuwait

Pitted against strong opponents in a tough group, India will kick off their Asian Games campaign against Kuwait on November 7 at Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou in China.

India will lock horns with defending champions Qatar in their second Group D match on November 9, while they play their last league match against Singapore on November 11.

Sukhvinder Singh's boys had left for Guangzhou early on October 25 to acclimatise with the conditions and play practice matches.

The team had a preparatory camp at Cuttack, Orissa from October 6 to 24. The Asian Games will officially open on November 12 but the football event will kick off on November 7 and conclude on November 25.

Hosts China are slotted in Group A along with Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan and Japan, while Thailand, Maldives, Oman and Pakistan are in Group F. Group B includes Iran, Vietnam, Bahrain and Turkmenistan while Group C comprises of Korea Republic, Palestine, Jordan and DPR Korea. Uzbekistan, UAE, Hong Kong and Bangladesh form Group E.

The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams will qualify for the Round of 16. India did not qualify for the women's football competition.

Groupings:

Group A: China, Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan, Japan

Group B: Iran, Vietnam, Bahrain, Turkmenistan

Group C: Korea Republic, Palestine, Jordan, DPR Korea

Group D: Qatar, Kuwait, India, Singapore

Group E: Uzbekistan, UAE, Hong Kong, Bangladesh

Group F: Thailand, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan.