The phase of the Asian Games 2018 football group has undergone a change again. After the entry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Palestine which resulted in the addition of participants. Now the changes must be made following the withdrawal of Iraq.
According to information from the Football Asosiation of Indonesia (PSSI), the Asian Games 2018 committee immediately reported to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) when they heard Iraq resign.
By the AFC and OCA, it was decided only Palestine and the United Arab Emirates to do the raffle because they were in one group containing five teams. Not only that, the two countries are also additional countries for Asian Games 2018 participants.
The group raffle was also held because in Group C it was only filled by three countries, namely China, Timor Leste and Syria. Once done on Friday, 3 August 2018, at the AFC Office, Kuala Lumpur, the UAE which was previously in group E finally joined the group C which will play in the Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong.
Meanwhile, Palestine remains in Group A which is filled by hosts Indonesia, Hong Kong, Laos and Taiwan. All group games will be held at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi.
Football will compete in the opening match in Group A on August 10 at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi City. Meanwhile, the Indonesian national team began to compete against Taiwan in the same stadium on 12 August 2018.
The change in the composition of the team in the group phase was carried out following Iraq's withdrawal just days before the opening match. They were forced to withdraw from participation in the Asian Games 2018 because they could not prepare their players following rumors of alleged theft of age at their Under-16 national team.
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