2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Qualifiers draw out

The draw for the qualifiers of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was held earlier today at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur. And 2008 champions India have been drawn in Group B alongside Turkmenistan, neighbours Pakistan plus the winner of the playoff tie Chinese Taipei and Laos.

It looks an interesting but tricky group for India. Turkmenistan surely are a tough opponent currently ranked 142 in the FIFA world rankings, just two places ahead of India. Our neighbours Pakistan are ranked 169th, normally an opponent we should beat, but depending on venue it could be an interesting derby; while Chinese Taipei as 156th and Laos as 175th should be teams to beat.

The eight lowest-ranked teams out of 20 participating nations will face each other in a play off on a home-and-away basis and the four winners will qualify for the 16-team group phase. The group phase will see four groups of four teams each with the top two teams qualifying for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup proper.

The group stage matches will be played between March 20 to 31, 2011; and the hosts of each group will be announced later. Only after the eight finalists are decided the venue for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will be decided.


THE DRAW

Playoffs (February 9 and 16, 2011)

Playoff 1: Bhutan vs Afghanistan
Playoff 2: Philippines vs Mongolia
Playoff 3: Chinese Taipei vs Laos
Playoff 4: Cambodia vs Macau


GROUP STAGE (March 20-31, 2011)

Group A: Myanmar, Palestine, Bangladesh, Winner of Playoff 2
Group B: Turkmenistan, India, Winner of Playoff 3, Pakistan
Group C: Tajikistan, Maldives, Winner of Playoff 4, Kyrgyzstan
Group D: North Korea, Winner of Playoff 1, Nepal, Sri Lanka