The India under-16 football squad reached Tehran today to play the AFC Under-16 football championship. The event is beginning in the Iranian capital on Saturday. India have been clubbed with strong contenders Uzbekistan, Syria and China in Group D. India play their first match against Uzbekistan. Prior to landing in Tehran, India played three practice matches in Dubai, two of which were against a very strong UAE Under-16 national side. India had qualified for the final phase in 2001 when they finished second in a group, which comprised of hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and India. India had a three-week preparatory camp in Dubai.