AFC Asian Cup Draw: PHL in Group C

DUBAI - The Philippines is in Group C in the draw for the Asian Cup finals, which will take place in the United Arab Emirates from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1 2019.

The other countries in Group C: South Korea, China, and Kyrgyzstan.

Defending champions Australia will renew their rivalry with Syria at the Asian Cup finals after being drawn alongside the Middle Eastern nation on Friday for next year's tournament.

The two nations faced off in a tense World Cup playoff in September, with the Australians narrowly advancing, and both will also meet Palestine and Jordan in Group B at the 2019 event.

The other groupings:

GROUP A: United Arab Emirates, Thailand, India, Bahrain

GROUP D: Iran, Iraq, Vietnam, Yemen

GROUP E: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, North Korea

GROUP F: Japan, Uzbekistan, Oman, Turkmenistan

The Asian Football Confederation has introduced a prize fund of $15 million for the tournament, with the champions picking up $5 million and the runners-up earning $3 million.

The finals will kick off on Jan. 5 with the final to be played in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 1. — Reuters