The Philippines faces a daunting challenge in the football competition of the 20th Asian Games in Japan after the groupings were released Thursday.

The men’s team landed in Group C alongside Kuwait, Uzbekistan and reigning ASEAN champion Vietnam as it seeks to reach the knockout stage.

It will mark the Philippines’ first appearance in the Asian Games men’s football tournament since the 1974 edition in Tehran, where it finished 15th. The country’s best result remains at eighth-place finish at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta.

On the women’s side, the Filipinas were also drawn in Group C with China, Hong Kong and Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan will be eager for payback after the Filipinas scored a 2-0 victory in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup play-in match earlier this year, denying the Uzbeks a direct berth to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The Asian Games will also serve as a key part of the Filipinas’ preparations for the World Cup, with head coach Mark Torcaso looking to test his squad against top-level competition.

He also called on Filipino supporters who can travel to Japan to rally behind the team.

“The main objective in this Asian Games is obviously to go as far as we can, but it’s also for us as coaches and the country to test some players at a tough level to see if they’ll be ready for the World Cup,” Torcaso said.

“Any country that we go to, I just really express that if we can have as much support and as many fans as possible come out and be part of our journey. Every time we have a camp in the Philippines, come and watch the girls.”

The football competition begins on 19 September five days before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.