2014 AFC Challenge Cup: Laos & Turkmenistan get last spots!

Former champions India have failed to qualify for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup in Maldives. That was known for some time, but due to the late pullout of Brunei it was not clear which two sides would qualify as the best two teams amongst the five qualification groups.

In the end Laos and Turkmenistan have received the tickets to next year's finals as the two best runners-up as they join hosts Maldives plus the five group winners Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Palestine and the Philippines in their quest to qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

The non-participation of Brunei in Group E meant that the results of the matches in the four other groups between the runner-up and the bottom-placed team were declared null and void based on Article 16.1 and Appendix 2 of the tournament regulations.

The affected matches were as follows
Group A: India 2-1 Chinese Taipei
Group B: Macau 0-3 Tajikistan
Group C: Laos 1-1 Mongolia
Group D Bangladesh 4-0 Northern Mariana Islands

With these results no longer being factored into the outcome, Laos emerged as the best of the second-placed team with four points. Turkmenistan, AFC Challenge Cup runners-up in 2012 and 2010, took the second ticket to the Maldives, with their superior goal difference separating them from 2008 champions India, Bangladesh and inaugural winners Tajikistan of 2006, who all finished with three points.

AFC U-14 Girls Regional Championship: India are South & Central champions!

The India Under-14 Girls team are inaugural champions of the AFC Under-14 Girls Regional Championship 2013 for the South and Central region after whipping Bhutan 9-0 in their final game at the City Football Complex in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo today.

The Indian girls finished on 15 points from five matches as Kashmina scored thrice, Daya Devi Heigrujam and Pooja Dnyaneshwar Dhamal both with a brace with Nisha and Roja Devi Asem also amongst the Indian goals.

India scored an impressive 33 goals in their five matches, while only conceeding two. India beat Tajikistan 3-0 in their opener, followed it up by beating Bangladesh 5-1, then trashed hosts Sri Lanka 10-0, went on to beat Iran 6-1 and finished off with a 9-0 against Bhutan.


Final standings:

India – 15 points
Iran - 12 points
Bangladesh - 7 points
Sri Lanka - 6 points
Tajikistan - 4 points
Bhutan - 0 point

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

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: 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: India lose opener against Tajikistan

India lost their opening 2012 AFC Challenge Cup match 0-2 against Tajikistan at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal. From now on reaching the semifinals will be an uphill task as India would most likely have to win both their remaining fixtures to get through.

Tajikistan had a better start into the game with the central Asians putting India initially under some pressure as India needed time to settle down. But after the quarter hour mark India got a few half chances with first Sunil Chhetri giving it a try but his attempt went way wide, then came Rocus Lamare's effort from outside the box but it was easily collected by the Tajik goalkeeper and then on a counter-attack Sunil Chhetri found Anthony Pereira free on the right but he blasted high-and-wide.

Thereafter the match was mainly confined to the midfield with both sides looking for possession as both sets of defenders stood their ground and the strikers were unable to penetrate. India had more of the ball, but the Tajiks looked more dangerous whenever they attacked. The first session ended goalless.

After the break a similar picture before the Tajiks once more started to press harder and on the hour mark they 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.

India were shocked after conceding the two quick goals and for the remainder of the match the Tajiks looked more capable of scoring a third then India reducing the deficit. The team simply had no real firepower upfront to cause danger to the Tajik goal. It ended 2-0 for Tajikistan.


MATCH STATS

India 0-2 (0-0) Tajikistan - Goals: 0-1 Akhtam Khamrakulov (60'), 0-2 Nuriddin Davranov (65')

INDIA
1-Karanjit Singh, 16-Samir Naik, 19-Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, 3-Raju Eknath Gaikwad, 22-Syed Rahim Nabi; 12-Anthony Pereira (68' 28-Jewel Raja Sheikh), 21-Rocus Lamare, 17-Adil Ahmed Khan, 26-Francis Fernandes; 18-Sushil Kumar Singh (81' 9-Joaquim Santan Abranches), 11-Sunil Chhetri [C]

TAJIKISTAN
1-Alisher Tuysher; 44-Alexey Negmatov, 4-Eraj Rajabov, 6-Davronjon Ergashev, 3-Sohib Savankulov; 11-Farkhod Tokhirov (79' 34-Ilhomzhon Ortikov), 10-Dzhakhongir Dzhalilov, 8-Sakhmadali Adykov, 18-Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev (86' 17-Dilshod Vasiev); 13-Akhtam Khamrakulov (70' 22-Yusuf Rabiev), 9-Nuriddin Davranov

2012 AFC Challenge Cup: India start against Tajikistan

Team India start their 2012 AFC Challenge Cup campaign tomorrow with a match-up between former champions as the Bhangra Boys face Tajikistan in their Group B opener at the Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu.

Team India will have fond memories about the last meeting of the two sides, then it was in the final of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in New Delhi which India won in emphatic fashion, a 4-1 drubbing with Sunil Chhetri scored a hattrick and India qualifying for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. A repeat would be the perfect start as India should go into the match with a psychological advantage.

India coach Savio Medeira said, "The team is raring to go against Tajikistan. All the boys are charged up for the match. I am confident they will come out with their best for the clash and we will be able to secure all the points."

"We will fight till the last second of the match. We would not give any chance to our rivals," Savio confidently added.

Captain Sunil Chhetri spoke on the sidelines of the practice session, "We have come over here with only one objective and that is to win at any cost. We won't leave any stone unturned to achieve our goal. All the players including me would try to repeat our performance of the SAFF Championship."

And Sunil Chhetri's confidence is something which can be seen across the squad, which is waiting for the start of the tournament.

Savio Medeira is likely to stay away from any experiments with his team. Karanjit Singh will start as number one in goal with Samir Naik, Gouramangi Singh, Raju Gaikwad and Syed Rahim Nabi in defence; the midfield will be made-up of Anthony Pereira, Adil Khan, Rocus Lamare and Francis Fernandes; while upfront Sunil Chhetri will be joined by Sushil Kumar Singh. Some are surprised that Nirmal Chetri, Lalrindika Ralte and Joaquim Abranches look unlikely to get a start.

The Tajiks meanwhile also have come with the aim to get as far as possible and get a good start against India. Tajikistan is currently 145th in the FIFA world rankings, 13 places ahead of India, with their top star being Yusuf Rabiev.

The kick-off is slated for 17.00 local time (16.45 IST) with the match to be telecast only on Kolkata TV in India. There will be no national broadcast.

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

Rs 25,000 Cash Award for India U-16 Boys!

The India Under-16 boys after qualifying for the AFC Under-16 Championships next year have received a lot of praise from different quarters for their achievements in Tashkent. The U-16 boys beat Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain and Tajikistan to finish second behind hosts Uzbekistan, the only team which our boys lost.

The All India Football Federation has announced a Cash Prize of Rs. 25,000 each for the India Under-16 boys and the support staff who qualified for the AFC Under-16 Championship's Final Phase.

The AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated the boys and the Head Coach of Youth Development Colm Toal on this achievement. "There is clear indication that Indian football is moving ahead. We beat some of the best teams in Asia to qualify for the Final Phase," he said in a statement.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das also lauded the boys by saying, "I congratulate the boys and Colm Toal for the way he has been nurturing our Youth Development Teams, which is now yielding results. I am very optimistic that our current initiative with FIFA for setting up Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian football to the next level."

India U-16 Boys beat Tajikistan, qualify for Asian finals

The India Under-16 boys scored a vital 4-1 victory against Tajikistan in their final match to confirm their qualification for the AFC Under-16 Championships next year. With nine points from four matches India will finish amongst the top two in Group C to be amongst the Top 16 teams amongst under-16s in Asia.

The India youngsters were able to turn things around in style after the 9-0 trashing against the Uzbek's a couple of days back. The match didn't start well as Komron Tursonov gave Tajikistan a 16th minute lead from a penalty, but a 24th minute free-kick from captain Lalramzuava levelled matters before striker Uttam Rai gave India the 2-1 lead in the 42nd minute.

After the break stopper Sarthak Golui headed in Raja Rawat's free-kick in the 61st minute, while striker Daniel Lalhlimpuia sealed matters with a last minute strike to earn India a deseving qualification and it was celbration time thereafter for the under-16 boys.

Congratulations came pouring. The AIFF President Praful Patel congratulated the boys and the Head Coach of Youth Development Colm Toal on this achievement. "There is clear indication that Indian football is moving ahead. We beat some of the best teams in Asia to qualify for the Final Phase," he said in a statement.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das also lauded the boys by saying, "I congratulate the boys and Colm Toal for the way he has been nurturing our Youth Development Teams, which is now yielding results. I am very optimistic that our current initiative with FIFA for setting up Regional and Elite Academies will go a long way in taking Indian football to the next level."

Coach Thomas Joseph attributed the victory to an overall 'team effort.'

"Everyone has made a sacrifice – right from the boys to the team management. All have been away from their families for long. Hence, the satisfaction level stays higher," he maintained.

The Uzbek Football Federation, generous as ever, lauded the Indian Team's performance. "India deserves to be in the Final Phase," stayed the common sentiment among those present. The boys in the dressing room had gone berserk by then. Seeded fifth in the five-team Group, they overcame all to qualify for the Final Phase next year – the venue for which is yet to be finalised.

In the Team Bus, Bollywood songs made rounds; some sang regional folk songs, and danced. The rest clicked.

A tough group has been overcome, now the big boys of Asia will wait in next years final. Now the boys can enjoy the moment, but a lot of hard work awaits them in the coming months.


India
1-Supratim Bhattacharjee; 2-Myron Mendes, 4-Sajid Dhot, 5-Sarthak Golui, 6-Nabin Rabha (64' 3-Suman Saha); 22-Harmanjot Singh (30' 35-Allen Deory), 7-Nitin Jyal (89' 8-Germanpreet Singh), 15-Lalramzuava [C], 14-Raja Rawat; 9-Uttam Rai, 10-Daniel Lalhlimpuia

India U-16 Team announced, leaves for Qualifiers

The all India Football Federation has named a 23 player Under-16 national team for the AFC Under-16 Qualifiers in which our boys face hosts Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan in Group C.

The team leaves for Tashkent tomorrow to face tough opposition from Central Asia and a Middle Eastern side in Bahrain. The top two teams qualify for the final rounds.

The team have been practising at Conscient School at the Heritage School Ground in Gurgaon since September 14. Besides being appreciative about the practice facilities, Coach Thomas Joseph said, “We have a good team and we have practised hard for the event. Uzbekistan are the hosts and stay the strong contenders. I'd say we have a 50-50 chance.”


India Under-16s fixtures in Tashkent
October 1: India vs Kyrgyzstan (16.00 local) 16.30 IST
October 3: India vs Bahrain (16.00 local) 16.30 IST
October 5: Uzbekistan vs India (11.30 local) 12.00 IST
October 7: India vs Tajikistan (11.30 local) 12.00 IST


INDIA Under-16

Goalkeepers
Avinash Rao, Agaipal Singh, Supratim Bhattacharya

Defenders
Myron Mendes, Maiban Jimmy Singh, Suman Saha, Sajid Dhot, Sarthak Golui, Rahul S., Nabin Rabha, Gurba Gagri

Midfielders
Alen Deory, Harmanjot Singh, Nitin Jyal, Germanpreet Singh, K. Lalramzuava, Lalrammuana, Raja Rawat, Geremsha Basumatary

Forwards
Kamalpreet Singh, Daniel Lalhimpuia, Laldantsanga, Uttam Rai

Officials
Thomas Joseph (Coach), Chalil Melay Renjith (Coach-cum-Manager), Bitan Singh (Assistant Coach), Auguiar Luis Mario (Goalkeeping Coach), Sampath Babu (Physio)

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.