August 18, 2002	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Saani 8, 1423

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KARACHI, Aug 17: Asian ranked 39th Pakistan is drawn in tough pool “F” for football event of 14th Asian Games being held in Busan (South Korea) from Sept 29-Oct 14, according to information available from Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Saturday.

The football event of the games start two-days before the opening ceremony when South Korea take on minnows Maldives in the opening match at the main stadium on Sept 27.

Unfancied Pakistan will play against formidable 1998 games silver medalist Kuwait, Tajikistan and Hong Kong in which under- 23 sides will be battling for a gold. Teams however can include three over-age players in the competition.

Host South Korea will be hoping that the football buzz generated by their phenomenal success in World Cup continue in the Asian Games.

Korea are placed in group “A” with Malaysia, Maldives, Oman. Group “B” comprised United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen and Thailand.

Group “C” contain China, India, Bangladesh and Turkmenistan and 2002 World Cup co-host Japan are drawn in pool “D” with Uzbekistan, Bahrain and Jordan.

Iran begin defence of their Asian Games title, which they won by defeating Kuwait 2-0 in the final in Bangkok four years ago, with an opening group “E” match against Mongolia. Other teams in the group are Qatar and Lebanon.

Only five teams will be competing in the women’s football including holder China, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam.—APP