Lalitpur, March 23:

All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), the organisers, completed all the preparations for the AFC Challenge Cup Group ‘C’ qualifying matches scheduled here at the Dasharath Stadium from March 26-30.

ANFA has formed seven committees to make the AFC event successful, said the organisers at a press meet today. The four-team qualifying tournament kicks off with a match between hosts Nepal and Palestine on March 26. Afghanistan will play Kyrgyzstan on the same day. Four matches are scheduled for March 28 and 30, two games each in a day. All the matches will be held at the Dasharath Stadium.

AFC has divided 16 teams into four groups with winners from each of the groups making it to the eight-team finals to be held in India in 2010. One best team among the remaining 12 teams will also make it to the finals. Defending champions India, Tajikistan and South Korea were drawn directly into the finals.

The estimated cost of the tournament is Rs 5.5 million, said ANFA vice-president and spokesperson Lalit Krishna Shrestha. Shrestha also informed that AFC will provide the local organisers $20,000 as the event preparation costs. “We are are hoping to raise funds from tickets sale and sponsors,” added Shrestha.

The winner of the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup automatically qualifies for the 2011 Asian Cup Football Tournament. Apart from the Challenge Cup, Nepal is also hosting the AFC President’s Cup, Asian Youth U-16 and Asian Youth U-19 Championships this year.

Fixtures

March 26

•Nepal vs Palestine @ 1:00pm

•Afghanistan vs Kyrgyzstan @ 3:30pm

March 28

•Palestine vs Afghanistan @ 1:00 pm

•Kyrgyzstan vs Nepal @ 3:30pmMarch 30

•Nepal vs Afghanistan @ 1:00pm

•Kyrgyzstan vs Palestine @ 3:30pm

Venue: Dasharath Stadium