Korea Republic to face Malaysia in Asian Games opener

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Host nation Korea Republic will start their campaign against Malaysia in the football tournament to be played at the Incheon Asian Games 2014.

A total of 29 countries are vying for the gold medal in the men’s event, while 11 nations are battling for glory in the women’s competition.

The footballing drama will start on September 15 – four days before the official opening of the Incheon Asian Games, and will be played at six different stadiums across Incheon.

Besides Korea Republic and Malaysia, Group A also features Saudi Arabia and Laos.

Uzbekistan are alongside Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Afghanistan in Group B.

Oman have Singapore, Palestine and Tajikistan for company in Group C, while defending champions Japan are pitted against Kuwait, Iraq and Nepal in Group D.

Thailand are up against the Maldives, Timor-Leste and Indonesia in Group E and DPR Korea are set to compete with China and Pakistan in Group F.

UAE, the runners-up in 2010, are in Group G, which also consists of India and Jordan. Iran meet Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan in Group H.

In the women’s championship, Korea Republic, bronze medal winners at the 2010 Asian Games, face Thailand, India and Maldives in Group A while champions Japan are alongside China, Jordan and Chinese Taipei in Group B.

Group C features DPR Korea, Vietnam and China.

The women’s final will take place on October 1 followed by the men’s final one day later at the Incheon Football Stadium. /End/