LAHORE, May 24: Six matches will be played on the opening day of the 2nd National Under-21 football championship at different grounds on Friday.

According to the draws announced by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) on Wednesday, the competition that is being revived after 15 years will formally start with an exhibition match between defending champions Army and hosts Wohaib Club on Thursday.

The final will be played on June 6 at Railway Stadium.

The 19 participants have been divided into six groups, with five groups comprising three and one having four teams. After completion of 21 league matches from May 26-28, top teams will make the last eight.

Draws:

Group-A (Punjab University Old Campus ground, Chauburji)

May 26: Punjab v Northern Areas (7.30am)

May 27: Northern Areas v Mauripur Baloch (7.30am)

May 28: Punjab v Mauripur Baloch (7.30am)

Group-B (Punjab Stadium, Ferozpur Road)

May 26: Sindh v Afghan FC (7.30am)

May 27: Afghan FC v Gwadar Port Authority (7.30am)

May 28: Sindh v Gwadar Port Authority (7.30am)

Group-C (Punjab University Old Campus ground, Chauburji)

May 26: NWFP v Wohaib FC (5pm)

May 27: NWFP v POF

May 28: Wohaib FC v POF (5pm)

Group-D (Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue)

May 26: Railways v Balochistan (5pm)

May 27: Railways v Dera XI(5pm)

May 28: Dera XI v Balochistan (5pm)

Group-E (Punjab University New Campus Ground near Muslim Town)

May 26: Islamabad v Navy (5pm - ground 1), Mardan Club v City Club (5pm - ground 2)

May 27: Islamabad v City Club (5pm- ground 1), Navy v Mardan Club (5pm-ground 2)

May 28: Islamabad v Mardan Club (55pm - Ground 1), Navy v City Club (5pm - ground-2)

Group-F: Punjab Stadium, Ferozpur Road )

May 26: AJK v Hodes FC (5pm)

May 27 : Army v AJK (5pm)

May 28 : Army v Hodes FC (5pm)

ELIMINATION PHASE: Railway Stadium, Garhi Shahue

Quarterfinals: May 30 - June 2.

Semifinals: June 3 and 4.

Third-place match: June 5.

Final: June 6.