The Vietnam Davis Cup team.— Photo VTF

( VNS) Viet Nam will compete in Group B of the Asia Group in the BNP Paribas Davis Cup, facing off against Pacific Oceania, Cambodia and hosts the United Arabia Emirates, after a draw held on Tuesday in Dubai.

Top seeds Hong Kong will be joined by Malaysia, Oman and Iran in Group A.

Viet Nam team manager Truong Quoc Bao said the draw was favourable and would avoid an early clash with Iran and Hong Kong in the group round matches.

He said the team's biggest threat in the group was Pacific Oceania, who were at a similar level.

Viet Nam commenced their campaign late last night with their first tie against Cambodia. They will play their next match against Pacific Oceania today. The team will play their UAE hosts tomorrow.

The top two nations in each pool will proceed to Asia/Oceania Zone Group II for 2014, while the bottom two nations will be relegated to Group IV. The five players representing Viet Nam and their coach, Michael Baroch – a former trainer of previous world No 1 Maria Sharapova – are hoping to maintain their current position.— VNS