Yemen has withdrawn from the 15th Asian Games soccer competition.

In a statement released yesterday, Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC) said it had officially been informed of the decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Yemen, who was due to play in Group C with Thailand, Kuwait and Palestine, joined Turkmenistan in pulling out of the competition. Turkmenistan withdrew from Group F, where it would have faced Japan, DPR Korea and Pakistan, on Tuesday.

The AFC's new arrangements for the soccer competition would still see the top two teams in both groups A and B advance to the second round. A draw will be conducted by the AFC Secretariat at Al Gharrafa Stadium on Saturday at 11:00 to decide in which round 2 groups the runners-up of Group A and Group B will be placed.