Indian football team starts campaign against Kuwait

New Delhi: 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. PTI