Jakarta: Iran will face DPR Korea, the 2014 silver medalists, Saudi Arabia, and Myanmar in Group F of the upcoming Asian Games 2019
Defending champions Korea Republic will have Bahrain, Kyrgyz Republic and Malaysia for company in Group F of men's football at the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games draw in Jakarta on Thursday. Hosts Indonesia, meanwhile, drew Hong Kong, Laos and Chinese Taipei in Group A.
The U-23 tournament, which allows each country to field three overage players, will see 24 teams vying for honours.
Group B has Thailand, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh and Qatar, while Group C will see 2014 bronze medalists Iraq, China PR, Timor-Leste and Syria.
Japan were the seeded team in Group D and they were drawn with Vietnam, Pakistan and Nepal.
The top two teams in each group along with the four best 3rd placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.
Men's football will be contested on August 14 to September 1 in Jakarta and Palembang.
Iran failed to qualify from group stage in last tournament in Incheon Games 2014. After winning a record 4 gold medal in football competition, the last of which was in 2002 in Busan, Iran won the bronze in Doha games 2006 and the fourth rank in Guangzhou in 2010. This time, the U23 team is coached by Kranjcar who has a good insight into Iranian football and a good track record with Sepahan Esfahan club.
Sohrab Bakhtiyarizadeh and Reza Shahroudi both ex-Team Melli player assist Kranjcar in training the team whil the Manager is Hamid Estili.Asian Game Men Football
All time medal winners
