To host qualifying round matches

Kathmandu, January 28:

Nepal have been drawn in tough groups in both the AFC Challenge Cup-2010 and AFC President Cup-2009 today.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today released draws of both the AFC Challenge Cup and AFC Presidents’ Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Nepal, who have been nominated as the hosts of the Group ‘C’ Challenge Cup qualifying round matches, are drawn against Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan and Palestine. Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia and either of the Macau or Mongolia are in Group ‘A’ while Turkmenistan, Philippines, Bhutan and Maldives are in Group ‘B’. Likewise, Group ‘D’ includes Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Chinese Taipei and Brunei.

Defending champions India, Tajikistan and DPR Korea enjoying direct entry to the eight-team finals. AFC received a total of 17 entries and decided that the last two teams (Macau and Mongolia) according to the FIFA rankings would play off for a spot in the qualification. The winners of each group and the best second-placed team from among the groups advance to the .

Meanwhile Nepal Police Club (NPC) have been drawn in Group ‘A’ in the AFC Presidents’ Cup. The 2006 finalists were drawn along side defending champions Regar-TadAZ of Tajikistan, Taiwan Power Company of Chinese Taipei and WAPDA of Pakistan.

Likewise, Group ‘B’ includes Asghabat of Turkmenistan, Sri Lankan Army and Abahani of Ltd of Bangladesh while Group ‘C’ consists of two-times champions Dordoi-Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan, Kanbawza FC of Myanmar, Phnom Penh Crown of Cambodia and Yeezdin FC of Bhutan.

The President’s Cup is a tournament for national league champions whose countries belong to the third tier in the Asian rankings. NPC will represent Nepal for the third year in a row. The absence of national league for the last two years have provided the 2006 national champions the second chance by default.

Nepal will host all Group ‘A’ matches while the venues for the other two groups have yet to be announced. The group matches, scheduled for April or May, will see the top team from each group advance to semi-finals. They will be joined in the semis by the best runners-up from the group stage.