KUALA LUMPUR - Qatar will have to face the might of hosts Uzbekistan and continental powerhouses Iran at the group stage of the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup 2022, to be held from June 1 to 19 in Tashkent and Karshi.

Qatar are in Group A, which also features debutants Turkmenistan. The 16 participating nations were divided into four groups at the draw, held virtually in the Uzbek capital Tashkent on Thursday.

Qatar’s best performance in the tournament was finishing third in 2018 and they had an unimpressive run in the 2020 edition in Thailand, failing to progress past the group stage.

They are hopeful of a better show this time but the task will be tricky. Uzbekistan were the champions in 2018 and fourth in 2020. At home, they will be well prepared to raise the bar.

Iran, Asia’s number one team at the senior level, have not won the U-23 title yet and they will be eager to mount a strong challenge this time.

Qatar sealed a spot in the tournament by topping Group A of the qualifiers, also featuring Sri Lanka, Syria and Yemen.

Defending champions South Korea are in Group C, along with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia while last edition’s runners-up Saudi Arabia feature in Group D, which also include UAE, Japan and Tajikistan.Group B include last-edition’s third-placed team Australia, Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait.