The team from Yemen was initially drawn in Group C along with Thailand, Kuwait and Palestine, but followed Turkmenistan by pulling out of the quadrennial tournament.

The Asian Games soccer competition suffered another setback after Fifa's decision to ban Iran from the international stage due to their government's interference in running the sport. Rumours are now circulating that Palestine might also pull out their side.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is in charge of staging the Asian Games competition and is meeting today. It is expected that two teams who finish second in two qualifying groups plus the best third-placed side would fill the vacant places. However, the group in which those teams would be placed remains to be decided.

Chanwit Pholchivin, Thailand's national team coach, said the withdrawal of Yemen

did not affect his side's preparations.

As for the AFC considering the new arrangements of the competition, the experienced coach, whose side arrived in Doha on Tuesday, said the best way to cope with the issue was to prepare the team to be ready for whatever the decision was.