New Delhi, Aug 6 - Defending champions India will begin their campaign in the ONGC Nehru Cup football tournament against Palestine, a late replacement for Thailand.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) general-secretary Alberto Colaco told reporters here that Thailand were dropped after they had named an under-19 team for the event, starting Aug 19.

'We decided to replace the Thai team after they refused to send their national team and insisted on sending their under-19 players,' he said.

Lebanon (148th), India (156th) and Palestine (177) have been clubbed in Group A while last year's runners-up Syria (95th), Sri Lanka (156th) and Kyrgyzstan (160th) are in Group B.

The top two teams from each group will play the semi-finals slated for Aug 27 and 28 while the final will be Aug 31. There will be one match every day, kicking off at 6.30 p.m.

Sponsors state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) said the winners will receive a prize money of $40,0000 while runners-up will get $20,0000.