AFC Challenge Cup: India in tough Group B

The draw of groups and fixtures for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup to be held in Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012 has been carried out by the Asian Football Confederation.

Group A contains hosts Nepal along with Turkmenistan, the Maldives and Palestine; while Group B has three former champions in defending champions North Korea, 2008 winners India, 2006 champions Tajikistan along with the first-timers the Philippines.

For India it will be a tough passage to reach the 2015 AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia. India play their first match against Tajikistan on March 9. They next play the Philippines on March 11 and their last Group League match against North Korea on March 13.

Both the semifinals have been slated for March 16 while the final will be played on March 19.


GROUPS & FIXTURES

Group A
Nepal, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Palestine

08-Mar-2012: Nepal - Palestine
08-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan - Maldives
10-Mar-2012: Palestine - Turkmenistan
10-Mar-2012: Maldives - Nepal
12-Mar-2012: Nepal - Turkmenistan
12-Mar-2012: Maldives - Palestine

Group B
North Korea, India, Tajikistan, Philippines

09-Mar-2012: North Korea - Philippines
09-Mar-2012: India - Tajikistan
11-Mar-2012: Philippines - India
11-Mar-2012: Tajikistan - North Korea
13-Mar-2012: North Korea - India
13-Mar-2012: Tajikistan - Philippines

Semifinals
16-Mar-2012: Winner Group A - Runners-Up Group B
16-Mar-2012: Winner Group B - Runners-Up Group A

3rd Place Playoff
19-Mar-2012: Loser SF1 - Loser SF2

Final
19-Mar-2012: Winner SF1 - Winner SF2