India are placed in a tough group, which includes strong contenders South Korea, for the Asian Zone Thomas Cup badminton tournament.

The others in Group A are Korea, Iran, and Macau.

The tournament will be held between February 16 and 22 in Kuala Lumpur and only one team from each of four groups  gets automatic qualification to the May finals in Jakarta.

The four group champions move on to the knock-out stages to determine the first to fourth placing. The next-ranked team in each group will play each other to decide the fifth berth available for the zone.

In the women's Uber Cup, India are clubbed in Group A along with Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Macau.

The top three teams in the Uber Cup tournament will qualify for the finals in Indonesia, scheduled for May 16-22.

Former champions China will find also the going tough in Group D against Thailand, who boast of two strong doubles combinations in Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisvas, and Sudket Prapakamol and Patapol Ngernsrisuk.

But hosts Malaysia should have little problems disposing of the challenges posed by Hong Kong and Sri Lanka in Group B.

With Singapore opting not to field naturalised citizens, Japan too will have it easy in Group C, which also features Pakistan.

In the Uber Cup, South Korea and Japan should have no problems in making the last four and they will most likely be joined by Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The Groups:

Thomas Cup

Group A - South Korea, India, Iran, Macau

Group B - Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

Group C - Japan, Singapore, Pakistan

Group D - China, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam

Uber Cup

Group A - Japan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Macau

Group B - South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.