2012 Nehru Cup: Neighbours Nepal to replace African side Kenya?

The 2012 Nehru Cup being held in the year of the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the All India Football Federation, but it seems that the AIFF is facing one problem after another before the tournament which is set to be played from August 22 to September 2 at the Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

I had speculated last week ( 2012 Nehru Cup: Is African nation Kenya sure to come? ) if Kenya was 100% certain come to play in the Nehru Cup. Now it is confirmed that the Africans have pulled out and that they would rather play a friendly against Jamaica in the US then come to India.

This came a complete surprise to the AIFF, who could could take the late withdrawl to CAF (Confederation of African Football) and FIFA then they had all necessary confirmation.


And who could replace Kenya?

There has been speculation about the Philippines or Nepal taking the place of Kenya with the Philippines having shown initial interest to come to play the Nehru Cup earlier on, but then they took back their confirmation due to a change in their own preparations for other tournaments later in the year.

Meanwhile our neighbours Nepal, the All Nepal Football Association and their media, have confirmed their participation with no confirmation from the AIFF so far. But it now looks likely that Nepal would be the fifth nation in the tournament.

Who will participate in the 2012 Nehru Cup?

The All India Football Federation is set to organise the 2012 edition of the Nehru Cup from August 23 to September 2 at the Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Besides hosts India four other nations will take part in the Nehru Cup which will be held three decades after the first edition in 1982. Also it will be part of the AIFF celebrating its Platinum Jubilee (75th anniversary).

But there is confusion on who will participate in the tournament this year with invited country football associations telling their respective national media that they will participate after accepting the AIFF offer. The only thing which is clear is that the AIFF is preferring to have two African and two Asian sides joining India in a five team competition.

The AIFF had send out more then 10 invitations across Asia and Africa. After it became clear that Nigeria wouldn't like to take part, Cameroon and Kenya were approached with Kenya having since accepted the invitation while Cameroon had given positive feedback about an interest to participate. Another nation doing the rounds as possible back-up is Senegal.

Meanwhile within Asia the nations of Afghanistan, Jordan, Maldives, the Philippines, Syria and Thailand are said to be amongst the nations approached with Jordan, Maldives, the Philippines and Syria all willing to participate.

Currently the AIFF seems to favour Cameroon and Kenya plus Syria and Jordan taking part in the tournament. But the AIFF will soon have to take a final decision on who it would like to see participate in the tournament, so the search for a title sponsor and television broadcaster can go ahead in full flow, then on the 75th anniversary it wouldn't show Indian football in good light without one of these or even both.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: A look back & the stats

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup was held in Kathmandu, Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012. Defending champions North Korea once more won the title by beating Turkmenistan again in the final like in 2010. The final victory qualifies North Korea for the next 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

The 12 day tournament saw eight teams in action with the matches not always going as per script, but in the end the overwhelming favourites North Korea won the AFC Challenge Cup title for a second time.

For Team India the 2012 edition of the AFC Challenge Cup was a complete disaster. Three matches - no goals, eight conceded, no points. The simple stats speak a clear language about a very poor outing.


FIXTURES & RESULTS

Group A
Maldives, Nepal, Palestine, Turkmenistan

08-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 3-1 Maldives
08-Mar-2012: Nepal 0-2 Palestine
10-Mar-2012: Palestine 0-0 Turkmenistan
10-Mar-2012: Maldives 1-0 Nepal
12-Mar-2012: Nepal 0-3 Turkmenistan
12-Mar-2012: Maldives 0-2 Palestine

Group B
India, North Korea, Philippines, Tajikistan

09-Mar-2012: North Korea 2-0 Philippines
09-Mar-2012: India 0-2 Tajikistan
11-Mar-2012: Tajikistan 0-2 North Korea
11-Mar-2012: Philippines 2-0 India
13-Mar-2012: North Korea 4-0 India
13-Mar-2012: Tajikistan 1-2 Philippines

Semifinals
16-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 2-1 Philippines
16-Mar-2012: North Korea 2-0 Palestine

3rd Place Playoff
19-Mar-2012: Philippines 4-3 Palestine

Final
19-Mar-2012: Turkmenistan 1-2 North Korea

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea & Turkmenistan reach final

The two semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup were played today at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. In the first semifinal Group A winners Turkmenistan took on surprise entrants the Philippines, while in the second semifinal defending champions North Korea took on Palestine.

Group B

Turkmenistan 2-1 (0-1) Philippines
Turkmenistan overcame a fighting Philippines to reach the finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. The Central Asian side won 2-1 and will now try to improve on their runners-up finish in 2010. The Philippines looked more dangerous at the start and took a deserving 25th minute lead when Phil Younghusband headed home Mulders' cross, his fourth of the campaign. But things would change in the second session with Arslanmyrat Amanov equalising for Turkmenistan in the 79th minute and things got worse for the Philippines when Guvanch Abylov robbed fellow substitute Roel Gener the ball and set-up Gahryman Chonkayev who scored the winner with four minutes left to play. The Philippines disappointment was compounded in stoppage-time when keeper Neil Etheridge was red carded for an off the ball incident involving goal scorer Chonkayev.

North Korea 2-0 (1-0) Palestine
Defending champions North Korea have reached the final again with a 2-0 win against Palestine at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semifinal at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. North Korea put pressure on Palestine, but only in the 42nd minute they made the breakthrough with Kwang-Ryong Pak firing the ball into the Palestine net after an earlier shot had bounced back off the underside of the crossbar. The East Asians kept the pressure on the West Asians with the second goal coming in the 69th minute once more through Kwang-Ryong Pak who capitalised on the poor Palestinian defending, skipped past Saleh with ease and side-footed the ball into the empty net to cap a comfortable win. It was enough as North Korea won the match 2-0.

AFC Under-19 Women's Cup: India to host qualifying group

The official draw for the AFC U-19 Women's Championship 2013 Qualifying Rounds 1 and 2 were conducted at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur today.

In the first round there are 12 participating nations. The eight participating Member Associations in the Central, South and West regions were drawn into two groups of four teams each, while the East/ASEAN zones already consist of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Myanmar and the Philippines.

Group A would be host by India besides whom Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Bangladesh make-up the group. Group B consists of Jordan, Iran, Tajikistan and Palestine with Jordan playing hosts for this group with both the qualifying groups set to be played between October 19 to 27, 2012.

Each group shall play a one-round league, where each team in the group shall play one match against every other team and the top two teams from each group (total six teams) will proceed to Qualifying Round 2 which will be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam between December 1-9, 2012. For Round 2, seventh-ranked Thailand have been drawn into Group A while Vietnam, ranked sixth, into Group B.


THE GROUPINGS

ROUND 1
Group A: India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh
Group B: Jordan, Iran, Tajikistan, Palestine
Group C: Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Philippines

ROUND 2
Group A: Thailand, Team Ranked 4, Team Ranked 5, Team Ranked 8
Group B: Vietnam, Team Ranked 3, Team Ranked 6, Team Ranked 7

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Philippines follow North Korea into semifinals

The third and final round Group B matches were played at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup simultaneously in Kathmandu today. Defending champions North Korea, who already were through, met eliminated India on a dead rubber at the Dashrath Stadium, while Tajikistan took on the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium to decide the other semifinalist from Group B.

Group B

North Korea 4-0 (2-0) India
North Korea got the better of India with a rather easy 4-0 victory against India at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. Only three minutes were played when Kuk-Chol Jang provided a clever back pass to unmarked Kwang-Ik Jon who coolly guided the ball past Indian keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury. The Koreans scored their second goal after Subhashish's weak attempt to clear a Chol-Myong Ri cross fell into the path of an unmarked Kwang-Hyok Ri in the 34th minute. The Koreans' dominance continued after the break as Nam-Chol Pak scored his second goal of the tournament when he dribbled past three Indian defenders and Subhashish to put the ball in the empty net and make it 3-0 in the 59th minute. Chol-Myong Ri put his name in the score-sheet in the 70th minute with a brilliant header to seal the comprehensive 4-0 win.

Tajikistan 1-2 (1-0) Philippines
The Philippines scored another upset win, this time a 2-1 against Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu in Group B to qualify for the semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. The Philippines had more of the first session, but Tajik defender Alexey Negmatov gave his side a 1-0 lead in injury-time. But things changed in the 54th minute when Angel Guirado robbed Davronjon Ergashev on the left, charged to the byline and fired the ball past Tuychiev and across the face of goal where Phil Younghusband was on hand to fire the ball into the empty net for his third goal of the tournament. The Southeast Asians were back in the drivers seat and got the winner in the 80th minute when Guirado bravely headed home from close range, with the burly midfielder getting the better of Tuychiev and his defence to send the Azkals through to now face Turkmenistan.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea through, India eliminated

The second round Group B matches were played in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup in Kathmandu today. Defending champions North Korea took on former champions Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, while the Philippines faced another former champions in India at the Dashrath Stadium.

Group B

Tajikistan 0-2 (0-1) North Korea
Defending champions North Korea confirmed their place in the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with a 2-0 victory against Tajikistan at the Halchowk Stadium, Kathmandu on Sunday. The North Koreans made a perfect start as they took the lead after just four minutes when Nam-Chol Pak was given too much time and space by the Tajik defence, allowing the midfielder to fire low past keeper Alisher Tuychiev. The North Korean had more of the game, but their finishing let them down as only four minutes from time they seal their victory when substitute Kuk-Chol Jang overcame a poor first touch to create space and beat Tuychiev from inside the penalty area.

Philippines 2-0 (1-0) India
The Philippines upset India 2-0 at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu to keep their chances of progressing to the semifinals at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup alive, while the 2008 champions are out of the competition. Former Chelsea FC Youth player Philip Younghusband scored both the goals for the Azkals on either side of the break. Younghusband showed his skills inside the box after receiving a sublime cross from the flank by fullback Jason Sabio and coolly directed the ball past India keeper Karanjit Singh as the Philippines took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute. Man of the match Younghusband completed his brace and put the match beyond India's reach after a brilliant one-two with his brother James Younghusband before finding the top corner in the 74th minute that left Karanjit rooted to the spot. Chettri got a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute but he fired the ball well wide from the 18-yard box after Sushil Singh fed the unmarked striker with Azkals goalie Neil Etheridge nowhere in sight. For India their match on Tuesday against North Korea is just of statistical interest, while the Philippines have a real final against Tajikistan then the winner would move into the semifinals.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India lose, out of tournament

India suffered a 0-2 loss against the Philippines in their second Group B match at the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu and are out of the tournament with still a match against North Korea to play. Former Chelsea FC Youth player Philip Younghusband scored both the goals for the Azkals on either side of the break.

India coach Savio Medeira made two changes to his starting eleven with Reisangmi Vashum coming in for Anthony Pereira on the right-wing, while Joaquim Abranches started for Sushil Kumar Singh upfront. One hoped for a better performance from the Bhangra Boys.

India had the first chance of the match with Reisangmi Vashum shooting over, but then Philip Younghusband gave the Philippines the 10th minute lead after his shot beat the Indian defence and goalkeeper Karanjit Singh. Thereafter India had more of the ball, but simply wasn't dangerous in attack with Joaquim Abranches only once shooting the ball goalwards.

After the break the Philippines remained the more dangerous side and the result was the 2-0 in the 74th minute once more through Philip Younghusband, who scored off a pass from his brother James. India only had once good chance thereafter as Sushil Singh found Sunil Chhetri, but the captain blasted over.

India are out of the competition with the match against defending champions North Korea on Tuesday, March 13 remaining. Thereafter Team India needs to introspect and ask itself why it hasn't worked in Kathmandu.


MATCH STATS

Philippines 2-0 (1-0) India - Goals: 1-0,2-0 Philip Younghusband (10',74')

PHILIPPINES
1-Neil Etheridge; 14-Carlos Carlie Alberto Olaivar Martinez De Murga, 42-Jason Abbott Abantao Sabio, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 27-Ray Anthony Pepito Jónsson; 7-James Joseph Placer Younghusband [C], 22-Paul Mulders, 5-Juan Luis Guirado Aldeguer, 12-Ángel Aldeguer Guirado; 10-Philip James Placer Younghusband, 13-Emelio Asada Caligdong
Substitutes: 41-Eduard Sacapaño, 44-Jose Paolo Aragon Pascual, 2-Robert James Dazo Gier, 6-Roel Rowena Gener, 17-Jason Nicolas Maria Dantes de Jong, 19-Nestorio Margarse, 24-Marwin Janver Malinay Angeles, 29-Lexton de la Cruz Moy, 35-Dennis Mengoy Cagara, 36-Bongbong Roxy Dorlas, 37-Angelo Marasigan Verheye, 9-Misagh Median Bahadoran, 23-Ian Bayona Araneta, 34-Nathaniel George Payos Burkey

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh, 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 32-Reisangmi Vashum (70' 18-Sushil Kumar Singh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan (33' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 26-Francis Fernandes; 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches, 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]
Substitutes: 25-Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, 36-Arindam Bhattacharya; 4-Nirmal Chetri, 5-Anwar, 6-C.S. Sabeeth, 12-Anthony Pereira, 20-Lalrindika Ralte, 27-Gurjinder Kumar Singh, 40-Kingshuk Debnath, 47-Lenny Rodrigues

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Do or Die match for India & the Philippines

Team India had the worst possible start into the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup yesterday with their opening 0-2 loss against Tajikistan. Tomorrow they now face the Philippines, who had also lost their opening match, 0-2 against North Korea, at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. It is a do or die match for the Bhangra Boys and the Azkals which should guarantee a good encounter between these two teams.

India coach Savio Medeira has come in for heavy criticism for his team selection with some players getting a start, who looked totally out of sorts during the match, especially Anthony Pereira, Francis Fernandes and Sushil Kumar Singh. If Savio will make the necessary changes will have to be seen as the midfield and strikers could not make their mark on the match.

"At times you don't get the results which you strive for. But that won't deter us to be committed for our future success. We will keep trying and give our 100 percent to get the result we all are striving for," Savio quipped with confidence about his team.

And surprisingly Savio added, "We had a spirited performance against Tajikistan. But we squandered some good chances to score in the first half. Hope things will improve in our next match."

"We need to believe in ourselves and keep on playing good football, the result will come," continued Savio.

Captain Sunil Chhetri, who himself is still recovering from an injury, on the sidelines of the training session remained optimistic of staging a comeback and said, "It's going to be another tough match but we are ready and we can pull off a great result on Sunday. We all will stay focused and do whatever is expected of us."

The Philippines are in a similar situation with their German coach Michael Weiss having stitched together a team of Filipino-origin players from across the globe along with local talent. You have players who learned their football in England, Germany and Denmark in the squad and that makes the Azkals a dangerous outfit.

The Philippines are currently two places above India in the FIFA world rankings at 156, but the Southeast Asian nation has never beaten India; which should be a piece of statistics that Savio Medeira and his men would like to defend.

The kick-off is slated for 17.00 local time (16.45 IST) with no national television broadcast in India.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: North Korea & Tajikistan start with wins

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup also started for the teams in Group B as defending champions North Korea faced the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium, while in a match-up of former champions India faced Tajikistan at the Dashrath Stadium.

Group B

North Korea 2-0 (0-0) Philippines
Defending champions North Korea made a winning start into the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with a 2-0 win against the Philippines at the Halchowk Stadium. North Korea were all over the Philippines in the first season, but Fulham FC number two goalkeeper Neil Etheridge denied the Koreans in the first session on numerous occasions. The North Koreans finally broke the deadlook through Nam-Chol Pak's 58th minute header before Etheridge failed to deal with a high cross from the right, allowing substitute Kuk-Chol Jang to double the defending champions' lead 11 minutes later.

India 0-2 (0-0) Tajikistan
India suffered an opening match 0-2 loss against Tajikistan in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu. After an opening half in which both sides had their chances, but often evened each other out; things changed after the break. On the hour mark the Tajiks went ahead through Akhtam Khamrakulov as India could not clear inside the box. Only six minutes later striker Nuriddin Davranov made it 2-0 for Tajikistan with a nice placed shot from outside the box beating the outstretched hands of Karanjit Singh following a corner. Thereafter India could not come back into the match as the Tajiks took revenge for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final loss.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Who are the favourites?

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will kick-off tomorrow in the Nepali capital Kathmandu with eight nations taking part in the second tier tournament for national teams from across Asia, which the AFC likes to call emerging nations in football. Like in the last couple of editions the champions earn a spot at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia.

AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong stressed this point by saying, "And what makes this edition really interesting for the fans is that the winner will qualify directly for Asia's biggest tournament - the AFC Asian Cup in Australia in 2015."

"I expect to see top-level action on the pitch and ask the players to follow the spirit of fair play, no matter how intense the competition," added the AFC Acting President.


But who are the favourites to win the fourth edition of the AFC Challenge Cup?

Defending champions North Korea are the top favourites to retain their title, then the East Asian nation are by far the highest ranked at 111th with Tajikistan the closest at 145th. The North Koreans can build on a squad which played the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an experience from which the other nations are far away.

But North Korea are in the Group of Death along with former champions Tajikistan and India plus the Philippines, who have brought in a number of Player of Filipino Origin from around the world. On their day anyone amongst these four could top the group, though under normal circumstances North Korea should still top this group while the other three sides would fight for second spot.

The other Group A on paper looks weaker with hosts Nepal, Palestine, Turkmenistan and the Maldives. The Palestinians have looked good in preparations even beating Azerbaijan 2-0, who had earlier beaten India rather easily 3-0 with Turkmenistan a tough Central Asian side, who will have their good build on their side; but even the young hosts Nepal under English Graham Roberts will aim to reach the semifinals.

The tournament starts tomorrow and we will know on March 19, if North Korea can retain the title or if someone else wins the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

2012 AFC Challenge Cup fixtures

The finals of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal from March 8 to 19, 2012. Under the new qualifying format 16 nations played to qualify for the tournament proper with the hosts only chosen after the eight finalists had been decided.

In Group A hosts Nepal take on the Maldives, Palestine and Turkmenistan; while in the tougher Group B defending champions North Korea take on former champions India and Tajikistan plus the Philippines.


FIXTURES

Group A
Maldives, Nepal, Palestine, Turkmenistan

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
India, North Korea, Philippines, Tajikistan

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

Final
19-Mar-2012: Winner SF 1 - Winner SF 2

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

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: Three countries bid to host

Three out of the eight finalists of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup have shown interest to host the bi-annual event and India isn't amongst the nations who have bid to host the tournament. The bidding nations are the Maldives, Nepal and Palestine.

Now the AFC has requested the football associations of Maldives, Nepal, and Palestine to sign the Organising Association Agreement (OAA) and the List of Requirements (LOR) after the three expressed their interest.

The AFC has created the AFC Challenge Cup as a second-tier national team competition for developing footballing nations across the continent. The 2006 edition was held in Bangladesh and won by Tajikistan, in 2008 hosts India won the tournament, while the 2010 edition held in Sri Lanka which was won by North Korea. Also since 2008 the champions of the AFC Challenge Cup earn a place in the finals of the AFC Asian Cup, an added impetus for nations to field their best sides and win the title.

The 2012 edition will see Palestine, the Philippines, India, Turkmenistan, Maldives, Tajikistan, North Korea and Nepal in action with a place in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia up for grabs.

The host for the 2012 edition is likely to be decided by the AFC Organising Committee for President's Cup and Challenge Cup during its meeting at the AFC headquarters on June 14, 2011.