Beijing 2008: Tough draw for Asian teams at FIFA U-20 World Cup

OTTAWA, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Asian teams will have to battle their way through tough pools after being drawn with strong rivals for this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup.

While Asian youth champions DPR Korea will face Argentina, the Czech Republic and Panama in Group E, runners-up Japan find themselves in Group F which also has Scotland, Nigeria and Costa Rica.

South Korea are in Group D with the likes of Brazil, Poland and the United States. Jordan, the team South Korea beat in the Asian Youth Championship 3rd-place playoff, are in Group B with Spain, Uruguay and Zambia.

The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

The 24-team competition, which runs from June 30 to July 22, will take place in six Canadian cities.

Draw:

Group A: Canada, Chile, Congo, Austria

Group B: Spain, Uruguay, Jordan, Zambia

Group C: Portugal, New Zealand, Gambia, Mexico

Group D: Poland, Brazil, South Korea, United States

Group E: Argentina, Czech Republic, DPR Korea, Panama

Group F: Japan, Scotland, Nigeria, Costa Rica