Are all the groups moved forward to start June 2 , or just Nepal`s group D ? http://www.goalnepal.com/news.php?id=7075
I'd predict to say that AFC meant 15 teams and 1 host, the host of course being their favorite losing nation. Nepal seem to be their favorites (this month). Nepal got their wish as they couldn't host during the sheep shearing season.
I know AFC want to host all groups at the same time, saying this they have been known to let some groups be played at different times. AFC don't say which groups. AFC have also never actually said who will host which group yet except now for this Group D. I would guess all groups will be played on the same dates though. AFC website hasn't changed any schedules to date though.
Why dont the AFC do normal FIFA Dates qualifiers. Have 2 qualifying games every FIFA Break. I say this because we are doing qualifiers in 2012 and a tournament in 2014 now. That is a 2 year gap. Surely over the coarse of the next 2 years the players in the u22 bracket will change.
Nepal President Thapa is also a Vice President in the AFC and and is very influential in the Executive Committee. During the deliberations for deciding who will host the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup, Nepal won the bid over the objections of the AFC Inspections Committee. At that time their facilities was in a very sorry state, but Thapa promised it would be improved and it was done in time for the tournament. I wouldn't be surprised if Nepal ended up hosting one or all of the groups of the AFC U-22 tournament qualifiers as well.
The afe bracket won't change, and all qualifying groups are hosted, so have to be played in a set week. All playing at the same time is only fair when you have best 3rd placed team etc.
He also seems to keep the Nepalese media highly informed over these things. For an example, their papers were reporting that they had won the right to host the U-22 Championship qualifiers before any of us had any idea. It was the same with the AFC Challenge Cup, and now rumour has it that the next edition of the SAFF Championship is also going to be held in Kathmandu. I have a gut feeling that this is going to happen.
Nepal`s group start 2. June , the other groups will start 23. June. Laos will host group F and Myanmar will host group G.
KARACHI: Pakistan Under-22 football team training camp kicked off at the City School Ground, Gulberg, Lahore, on Wednesday ahead of their tour to Thailand next week in connection with the preparations for the Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held from June 23 to July 1 at a venue yet to be decided. http://www.footballpakistan.com/2012/04/pakistan-u22-camp-begins-training/
Oman host group A , Indonesia group E http://www.the-afc.com/en/u22ac-schedule-results?view=Competitions&id=438
Kyrgyz FA says Group B will be played in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia. http://www.ffkr.kg/ru/news/news/2352.html
AFC confirm that Saudi Arabia and Nepal will host group B and D. http://www.the-afc.com/en/u22ac-schedule-results?view=Competitions&id=438
Looks like none of the nations in group C were deemed good enough to host the matches. Instead, they will be played at Malacca, Malaysia according to the AFC website.
They'll be good enough alright. Just appears none of them want to host, which is odd, but then I guess they have to pick up the bill which none want.
Group E in Indonesia moved to 5. July http://www.the-afc.com/en/u22ac-schedule-results?view=Competitions&id=438
Malaysia to host the finals!!!!! Bahraini Gulf Daily News newspaper slipped that one out in todays article. Read bottom line. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=332385
South China Morning Post HK's young guns face tough test in Laos With five games in 11 days, the under-22 team will be stretched to the limit at AFC tournament Chan Kin-wa Five games in 11 days will test the discipline and mental strength of Hong Kong's younger generation at the inaugural AFC Under-22 Championships qualifiers in Laos, says coach Ernie Merrick. The 23-member squad leaves today to face a tough task in their first tournament at regional level. "They have to play five matches over 11 days and it is going to be a unique challenge," Merrick said. "Tournament soccer is different from one-off matches. You can't put everything into one or two games and then finish. You have to hang in there throughout the campaign, where discipline and the mental approach of the players are equally important. "There are some players with significant potential. We have to provide an effective environment to learn and train to ensure they can represent the senior team in the future." Hong Kong are in group F, along with Cambodia, North Korea, Thailand, China and the hosts. The top two from each group and the best third-placed side will qualify for the 15-team finals to be held next year. The Hong Kong team beat Macau 3-1 in the annual Interport Cup on Sunday with captain Lau Cheuk-hing (Sham Shui Po), and midfielders Ngan Lok-fung (Kitchee) and Chan Pak-hang (South China) producing standout performances. "We all expect this tournament to be a difficult challenge," said Lau, who got his first full international cap when debuting for the senior team against Vietnam two weeks ago. "Playing away from home, against difficult opposition and having five games in 11 days will be very tough." Chan, who scored the opening goal in the Interport Cup, said: "We are in good form after an extensive training schedule followed by a good match in difficult conditions against Macau. We are building a playing style that suits us." Hong Kong open their campaign against Cambodia on Saturday.