Draw sets groups for Asian Beach Games

Fourteen teams will take part in the competition, distributed four groups in the first stage

The fourteen teams that will take part in the fourth edition of the Asian Beach Games, to be held between 15th and 20th of November in Phuket, Thailand, get to know their opponents this morning, after the Official draw held at the Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa. As the action by the pristine sands of the Thai resort inches closer, the pots revealed the pathway to gold for the teams, setting up terribly competitive groups.

Hosts Thailand were drawn into group A, together with long-time reigning Asian kings Japan, 2006 Asian champions Bahrain and Uzbekistan.

In group B, current Gold holders Iran will be facing 2012 4th place finishers Lebanon, Iraq and Qatar, while group C will bring together silver medalists China, continent giants United Arab Emirates (golen medalists in 2010 and silver medalists in 2008) and Afghanistan.

Lastly, in group D, the surprising Palestine, who clinched bronze in the last Asian Beach Games in Haiyang, will take on Oman, hosts to the 2010 edition of the games and, and golden medalists in 2008 and silver medalists 2010, and Kuwait.  

The match schedule and the exact time of the games will be known soon.