The Maldives' young national team has departed for China to compete in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The national under-17 team departed from Velana International Airport (VIA) on Wednesday to participate in the qualifications taking place in Dalian, China from October 19 to 27.

Maldives is in Group C in the qualifications, along with Bhutan, South Korea, China, and Bahrain.

The top team from each group will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia next year.

In addition to this, the five best runner-up teams from all groups will also secure spots in the tournament.

Maldives will face Bhutan in their first qualification match on October 19.

The second match will be against Bahrain on October 21.

After playing against South Korea in the third match on October 23, Maldives will face China in the fourth match on the October 25.