By Yoon Jin-man (Sports Chosun)] The Hangzhou Asian Games soccer tournament has been disrupted by teams withdrawing from the competition before it even begins.
Chinese portal Sohu.com reported on the 18th that Afghanistan and Syria, the two teams in Group C of the men’s soccer competition, have withdrawn from the tournament. Syria reportedly decided to withdraw from the tournament due to match problems and difficulties in securing players. This reduces the men’s soccer field from 23 to 21 teams. The Asian Games will feature 16 teams in the round of 16, including the top two teams from each of the six groups and the top three teams from the four best-performing groups. Only five teams will be eliminated in the group stage.바카라
In Group C, Uzbekistan and Hong Kong “took advantage. Untouched, Kofu appear to have secured a spot in the round of 16 without playing a single group game. The two teams will meet twice on the 22nd and 25th to decide who will finish first and second in the group. The winner of Group C will face the third-place finisher from either Group E or Group F, while the second-place finisher from Group C will face the second-place finisher from Group D.
South Korea is in Group E and will face Kuwait, Thailand, and Bahrain.
Women’s soccer also had a bye. Cambodia, which was scheduled to face North Korea and Singapore in Group C, has reportedly withdrawn from the tournament. Under the new rules, only the first-place team in Group C will advance to the tournament. Cambodia’s withdrawal means that North Korea, which is making its first appearance at an international tournament, has a better chance of advancing to the round of 16. The women’s field was reduced from 17 teams to a total of 16. Half of them, eight, will advance to the quarterfinals.
The simultaneous withdrawal of three men’s and women’s soccer teams before the start of the Games is a rare occurrence. The Asian Games’ reputation for showcasing the best of Asia is not without merit. Hwang Sun-hong and Belho will be in the hunt for gold in a tumultuous atmosphere.