AFC Challenge Cup 2014: Eight Finalist Confirmed

Eight teams who will be competing in the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 has been finalized. The eight teams qualified for the cup are host Maldives, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Philippines, Palestine, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan.

In the qualification stage, 20 teams were divided into 5 groups and all the group winners and two second best teams qualified for the final round of the challenge cup. Host has been automatically qualified without competing in the qualification.

Myanmar who won the fourth place in 2008 and 2010 challenge cup qualified as the winner of group A
with 7 points. They beat India and Guam while they had a draw against Chinese Taipei.

2006 challenge cup semifinalist Kyrgyzstan qualified as group B winners with an unbeaten record with 9 points. They beat Tajikistan, Pakistan and Macau in the qualification stage.Afghanistan won Group C by beating Sri Lanka and Mongolia while they drew against Laos.

Palestine, the fourth place team on 2012 challenge cup lead group D with 7 points by beating
Bangladesh and Northern Mariana and also they drew against Nepal.

Philippines 2012 challenge cup third place team beat Turkmenistan, Cambodia and Brunei Darussalam 
and qualified as group E winners.

2010 and 2012 runners up, Turkmenistan qualified narrowly as first of the best second place team. They
got 6 points and a goal difference of 9 goals. And the second team to qualify as the best second place 
team is Bangladesh. They got 6 points and goal difference of 5 goals.

AFC Challenge Cup 2014: India's AFC Challenge Cup hopes crashed with Philippines win

The Blue Tigers were hoping to be one of the two best second-placed teams but a number of factors have resulted in the Indians having to sit out the tournament in Maldives.
   In a blow that could prove detrimental for Indian football's progress, the teams are ineligible to qualify for the AFC Challenge Cup to be held at Maldives in 2014. Wim Koevermans' sides finished second in their group behind Myanmar and were hoping to book their tickets for the 2014 tournament by means of the provision that the two best second-placed teams amongst all the groups would be granted safe passageway.

India finished with six points from three games with a goal difference of +4 in their qualifiers in early March. Bangladesh was ahead of the Indians amongst the two best second-placed teams with six points and a goal difference of +5. But this drastically changed after the Group E qualifiers where Turkmenistan has six points and a goal difference of +10.

This was partially due to the fact that Brunei withdrew from the qualifiers and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) awarded every other team in the group a default 3-0 victory in games involving Brunei. This along with the 8-0 dismantling of Cambodia by Philippines has ensured that Turkmenistan and Bangladesh would be the two teams that would qualify for the event in 2014. The manner of India's elimination may seem harsh, but it cannot be denied that such a situation would not have arrived had the Blue Tigers got a win or draw against Myanmar.  So for the Final the seven teams that qualify for AFC Challenge Cup 2013 are Maldives, Afghanistan,Kyrgyzstan  , Palestine, Philippines, Bangladesh and Turkmenistan 
For now, all that is left for the Indians to do is dust themselves off and attempt to work towards a better future for the game in the country. 

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Live Stream of Nepal Vs Palestine

Dear readers Nepal is facing the strongest team of the Group Palestine in its last Match on 6^th of March 2013. Nepal is in third position after losing against Bangladesh on head to head while Palestine is in top of the table with two wins. Nepal has chance to qualify on head to head if Nepal will win the match by huge margin and Bangladesh losing the match that seems almost impossible. However Nepal can play for win to get some respect in point table. As always your favorite sports portal from the Nepal is bringing the live update and live stream of the Match for its Readers and Viewer. Stay with us till the match start. As ANFA have reschedule the timing of the match to 6:15 NST due to strike organized by Political Parties of Nepal. Nepal won’t get more supporter in the Ground as in previous matches.

Nepal Vs Palestine

Match Details:

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier Group D

Nepal Vs Palestine

Date: 6^th March 2013

Time: 6:15 NST

Venue: Dashrath Stadium, Kathamndu

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers:ANFA reschedules Match Timing due to Bandh

ANFA released a press notification to postpone the match timings of tomorrow’s AFC Challenge cup qualifiers group D matches. The inconvenience caused due to tomorrow’s bandh resulted on the change.

First match of the day has been postponed to 3:15 pm where Northern Mariana Islands plays Bangladesh while the second match will be played on 6:15 pm instead of 5:05 pm where Nepal will host Palestine.

ANFA stated on a press release that it was impossible to postpone a match of  international level on another day.

ANFA also thanked different political parties along with Nepal Maoists who decided to help them to run the match smoothly despite of the strike.

Different match officials, players and related personnels are not disrupted tomorrow as ANFA had an agreement with the bandha organizers.

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Northern Mariana Island was outclassed by Palestine

The 2012 AFC Challenge Cup semi-finalists Palestine made a big stride towards the qualification in the finals of the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 after thrashing debutants Northern Mariana Islands 9-0 on Monday.

 In the match played at the Dashrath Stadium, Palestine scored four goals in the first half and added five more in the second half past the debutants who conceded six goals against Nepal on Saturday totalling 15 goals in the competition.

KH Salem scored a hat trick while Alla Atiya and Abdulhamid Abuhabib notched a brace each for Palestine. Also on the score-sheet were Saturday’s goalscorer Haytham Theeb and Iyad Gharqoud.

Palestine, will take on hosts Nepal on Wednesday and a draw alone would be enough for them to seal a place in the tournament proper. Northern Mariana Island will wrap up their first international adventure against a spirited Bangladesh who regrouped to beat Nepal 2-0 to stay in contention. 

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Nepal Vs Bangladesh : Once again Nepal fail to score in Key match

Nepal started the game in positive note as they made couple of attack early after the kick off. Jagjeet Shrestha started the Nepalese attack early in the game while Shahukhala was offside in sixth minute as better timing would have got Nepal ahead in early minute of the game.

After length midfield battle from both the teams, Bangladesh got a controversial penalty kick which Rony converted to provide Bangladesh the lead either teams searched for. The controversial penalty resulted to disruption in the game which halted the play for 5 minutes and added six minutes time later in the end. Khawas’ header in extra time on Jagjeet’s cross.

Second half started with lots of expectations both in the parapet and the dressing room. Nepal started the second half with the corner on which Bangladesh got nice chance to counter attack, unfortunate for Bangladesh; Linkon wasted the possession to miss good counter attacking opportunity for Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi player celebrating after scoring goal

Nepal came close to the equalizer when Anil Gurung made great run and dribbled passed the goalkeeper but he got down in Bangladesh box and Nepal appealed for penalty. The appeal was turned down rather Anil Gurung was shows a yellow card blamed for diving.

Nepalese attack did not stop even after that, they pressed hard for the equalizer which got Bangladesh counter attacking option on which they scored second goal. Rony who made cool penalty conversion in first half made brilliant finish in second half which got Bangladesh two goals ahead.

Second goal not only depressed the fans but also slowed down Nepalese attack. Rana was sent out in 87th minute for being booked twice. He was blamed not to maintain distance on Jagjeet’s free kick which compelled referee to lessen Bangladesh team to 10 mean.

Despite of 1 man advantage, controversies and emotions in Rangashala, hosts Nepal had to accept the fact that the final result went on Bangladesh’s way.

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Live Stream of Nepal Vs Bangladesh

After Impressive Start Nepal will like to take a stride towards Next Year AFC Challenge Cup Final by defeating Bangladesh in its second Match. While Opponent Bangladesh want to keep its hope alive with a win against Host Nepal. Coach of Nepal Jack Stefanowski said he would not compromise on nothing Less than a Victory against Bangladesh.  Bangladesh Coach Lodewijk Darius De Kurf said they are preparing against Nepal as it is Final match. Though Bangladesh lost against Palestine with narrow Margin coach is still optimistic about his team. Nepal and Bangladesh had played 15 times and History will support Bangladesh as they have defeated Nepal in 9^th Occasion while Nepal has defeated Bangladesh 4 times. Last Match between two teams ended as 1-1 Draw in Friendly that was played previous year in same Venue. Yours favorite sports portal www.anantasports.com  will bring you the Live update and Live Stream of the match. Stay with us

Click Here to get The Live Update of Nepal Vs Bangladesh 

Match Details:

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group D

Nepal Vs Bangladesh

Date: 4^th March 2013

Time: 5:05 NST

Venue: Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Live Stream of Palestine Vs Northern Mariana Island

Dear readers as the Qualification for the Final round of the AFC Challenge Cu 2014 is on the way, one of the strong contender from Group D Palestine will be Facing the minnow of the Group Northern Mariana Island in their Second Match. Palestine had already gained three point and is in second position behind Nepal in Group lacking By the Goal difference while NMI are in last place behind Bangladesh . Palestine will play for a win while Northern Mariana Island will play for the Draw or will try to concede fewer goals. Stay with us for the Live Stream and Live Update of the Match between Nepal and Northern Mariana Island.

                                                                      

                                           

Northern Mariana Island–Palestine

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Click here to get the Live update of Palestine Vs Northern Mariana Island

Match Details:

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group D

Palestine Vs Northern Mariana Island

Date: 4^th March 2013

Time: 2:05 NST

Venue: Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier: Points Table of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier Group C

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier is second Tier competition of Asia Continent. Twenty Nations from Asia are Grouped in Five Group and winner of each Group will Automatically Qualify for the Final Round that is scheduled for Next Year in Maldives. Maldives have automatically Qualify as organizer while other two teams will be decided from the to two second team from the Groups. Afghanistan has been placed with Sri Lanka  Laos and Mongolia in Group C. As Match has already begun in Laos Here is the point table of Group C after Completion of First Day 

Group C

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
AFGHANISTAN	3	2	1	0	3	1	2	7
LAOS	3	1	2	0	6	4	2	5
SRI LANKA	3	1	0	2	5	5	0	3
MONGOLIA	3	0	1	2	1	5	-4	1

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers Group D: Palestine Fight for 1-0 victory over Bangladesh

Bangladesh is disappointed in their first match as they get defeated to Palestine. Deep scored the only goal in the match in 78th minute to define Palestine’s faith. This helps Palestine to collect three points despite they were without some of their key players. First half of the game remained goal less, although Bangladesh missed outstanding opportunity to take the lead. If the chance was utilized, the result would have been completely different. It was 50-50 game in the first half while no team could create goal scoring chances beside some nonthreatening attacks.

Palestine Celebrating after scoring 

   Palestine displayed themselves stronger in second half as they dominated the attack. Abusalah was outstanding in the match as he added some threating attack.The dead lock was finally broken when Deep scored on a jumbled situation to take the lead and the goal was the decisive one. Bangladesh’s Dutch coach Lodewijk De Kruif lamented his side's lapses in concentration while Palestine’s Jordananian coach Jamal Mahmoud was not satisfied with the overall performance of his team in the hard-fought win. “My players did not play well and at times luck did not favour us,” he told reporters after the match.

Palestine meets Northern Mariana Island on March 4 while Bangladesh plays host Nepal in their second match.

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier: Points Table of AFC Challenge Cup Group A

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier is second Tier competition of Asia Continent. Twenty Nations from Asia are Grouped in Five Group and  winner of each Group  will Automatically Qualify for the Final Round that is scheduled for Next Year in Maldives. Maldives have automatically Qualify as organizer while other two teams will be decided from the to two second team from the Groups. India is placed with Myanmar , Chinese Taipei and Guam in Group A. After the First Day of the matches on 2nd March the Points Table of Group A Appear like.

Group A

Group A

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
MYANMAR	3	2	1	0	7	1	6	7
INDIA	3	2	0	1	6	2	4	6
GUAM	3	1	0	2	3	9	-6	3
CHINESE TAIPEI	3	0	1	2	2	6	-4	1

AFC Challenge qualifiers: Points Table of AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier Group D

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier is second Tier competition of Asia Continent. Twenty Nations from Asia are Grouped in Five Group and  winner of each Group  will Automatically Qualify for the Final Round that is scheduled for Next Year in Maldives. Maldives have automatically Qualify as organizer while other two teams will be decided from the to two second team from the Groups. Nepal is placed with Northern Mariana Island , Bangladesh and Palestine in Group D. After the Second Day of the matches on  4th March the Points Table Appear like.

Group D

Teams	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
PALESTINE	3	2	0	0	10	0	10	7
BANGLADESH *	3	1	0	1	6	1	5	3
NEPAL *	3	1	0	1	6	2	4	4
NORTHERN MARIANA	3	0	0	2	0	15	-19	0