LAHORE – Asian Football Confederation allowed Pakistan a bye into the qualifying stage of the fourth AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers 2011. The pre-qualifiers get underway tomorrow. Based on rankings of the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup, the eight lowest ranked teams were drawn into four two-legged ties, with the four winners advancing to the qualifying stage. All matches are on a home and away basis.
The winner of next year’s final phase will qualify for Australia’s 16th Asian Cup, to be held in 2015. Unlike in previous editions, there will be no automatic qualifiers and holders Korea DPR, runners-up Turkmenistan and third-placed Tajikistan will have to win in the qualification phase in order to return to the final phase. New Delhi will host both the matches of the tie between Bhutan and Afghanistan, as due to cold weather in both countries, the teams agreed to play each other in India.
Philippines host Mongolia at Panaad Stadium, Bacolod in the first leg, while Mongolia have moved their home game from February 16 to March 15 at the National Stadium, Ulan Bator. The first leg between Chinese Taipei and Laos will be held at National Stadium, Kaohsiung, with Laos hosting the second leg at National Sports Complex, Vientiane. Encounters between Cambodia and Macau will be held at National Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh and Est
