North Korea win the Challenge Cup with a penalty scored in an 87th minute. Turkmenistan also had a penalty 3 minutes earlier but the shot went over the goal.
North Korea wins, AFC gets what they wanted. Credit to Turkmenistan, if only they scored that penalty...
You guys played really well. Thoroughly impressed the defence still needs work but I think your attack is fantastic. Palestine didn't play well today- the organization and defensive concentration they had in the first four games was not there. Ramzi could have done better on the first goal but it's hard to imagine him doing much more on the other three (he made 2 big time saves in the first half). Not absolving him of the blame as the captain he has to step up and take responsibility. Abuhabib looked really good- perhaps the only Palestinian player who wanted to be out there today.
Redstiker Palestine did play some desperate football in the 2nd half as they tried thier best to catch up, so I don't think that is entirely true but they were indeed caught napping in the first half as they were not able to match the Philippine's intensity on the attack.
Overall though, I think Palestine did very well and could have easily made the finals if not for the reinforced North Korean World Cup side that you faced. BTW Redstriker, I just wanted you to let know that your tweets made it on ABS CBN news in the Philippines: "Philippines has improved tremendously in 12 months. Not just saying that because they put 4 past us- their play is a lot more nuanced," said @FutbolPalestine. "Thought the fourth goal was absolutely superb from Philippines. Beautiful overlapping play really shows how far they've come." "Quite obvious today that Philippines was hungrier, angrier. Congratulations Azkals on the third place finish. See you at Challenge Cup 2014!" @FutbolPalestine added. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/03/19/12/phil-younghusband-wins-golden-boot-award Thanks for all the compliments. You don't always get such gracious comments from a side you have defeated. It especially means a lot coming from such a knowledgeable writer whose analysis I respect.
I agree! AFC would have been devastated if a real "developing" nation won this and went to Asian Cup. Now they have a ex World Cup side, competing in the Asian Cup and basically This winner wont look at all out of place at the Asian Cup.... Exactly what AFC wanted... !
Now I think AFC need to reward the top 4, 1st place gets a ticket to Asian Cup 2015, and Turkmenistan, Philippines, and Palestine should be allowed to enter the Asian Cup Qualifiers due to their performance in the Challenge Cup..... even though they may not have a shot at qualifying, it is actually trying to bridge the gab between the med-tier nations and the lower nations.... which i thought the Challenge Cup is there for... to make these nations better and get them 'promoted'
I think AFC don't want weaker teams like India qualify for Asian Cup finals so stronger teams like North Korea can participate
No so sure bout that. Most teams in the Challenge Cup would be "automatic" wins in the Asian Cup. In respect to the teams playing in the Challenge Cup...
That's great! I must get a T-Shirt now that reads "Big in the Philippines" As for the competition itself. Beggars cannot be choosers- the Challenge Cup, even with DPR Korea's participation is the best shot any of us have at qualifying for the Asian Cup. It also means that we're playing at least 3 high-stakes games a year which is great for experience/team building. My only suggestions going forward: 1. Allow DPR Korea to "graduate"- They have qualified twice using this route. I think any team that manages to do that should be made to go through the traditional qualifying route (especially if they're not an emerging FA). 2. Either schedule the competition around FIFA matchdays or hold it in the summer to ensure full participation. This especially needs to be done for the finals of the tournament. 3. If DPRK is no longer allowed to take part- I wouldn't mind other nations coming into the fold- the likes of Lebanon, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong would all be reasonable participants in my mind.
Indeed Redstriker, you have become a social media sensation in the Philippines. I do agree with all of your points but apparently as jonny pointed out the schedule has already been set by the AFC to have the next Challenge Cup in March 2014. I don't know if you can change that still. I also am okay with letting the other countries in the developing stage category join the competition and obviously exclude those in the developed category like North Korea. BTW, I posted an almost complete game video in the Philippines thread of the Philippines-Palestine game. The first few minutes and the first goal by Phil Y is missing, but the rest are included.
This is an interesting thought, and becomes debatable, as is the Challenge Cup really for the developing nations? or if the likes of North Korea are allowed entry then as above why cant the likes of Vietnam, Hong Kong, Indonesia allowed to take part? if developing nations are only allowed, then i would assume, it should be all countries participating/allowed entry to the AFC Presidents Cup, which excludes Hong Kong, Indonesia, even India.. but does include North Korea...? the AFC need to re-assess the participation of nations in the Challenge Cup and stick by it.
Participation of Northern Mariana Islands in AFC competitions: AFC’s Associate Member Northern Mariana Islands were approved to participate in the AFC Challenge Cup and AFC President’s Cup if they fulfil the criteria
I love it, fufill the criteria. Surely the lowest competition the AFC has to offer should be open to all who fail all tournaments above. If NMI can't fullfil the criteria then I wonder just how they play football fullstop. I wonder what they can actually do if they failed. I also wonder, have NMI enquired about entering? If so, why didn't AFC disclose this before? If not, then why are the AFC releasing this news at all?
There associate members, which i guess means if they won the AFC Challenge Cup they wouldn't be allowed to play in the Asian Cup. Nice of AFC to say you can't play with the big boys, but help yourself to the rest as it doesn't matter. NMI are welcome to play in my book, but why can't AFC also help their full members more? They will take football to the NMI, but they can't give two hoots half the time about their current crop.
FIFA Ranking: Challenge Cup impact What would have happened had FIFA upgraded AFC Challenge Cup matches to continental qualifier status way back in April 2008 (the start of the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers)? I've computed the April 2008 through March 2012 with AFC Challenge Cup matches as continental qualifiers. Looking at the peak for each team in the rankings between April 2008 and March 2012, these are the 20 teams that would have gained the most. 18 of them were involved in the ACC. Team - Peak in the normal rankings - Peak in the modified rankings - Difference Turkmenistan 129 81 48 Tajikistan 124 79 45 Myanmar 135 104 31 Maldives 137 108 29 Afghanistan 164 136 28 Sri Lanka 148 123 25 Bangladesh 138 114 24 Macau 181 160 21 Pakistan 153 133 20 India 130 114 16 Chinese Taipei 147 131 16 Mongolia 160 146 14 Palestine 157 145 12 Nepal 135 124 11 Philippines 149 138 11 Cambodia 154 144 10 Kyrgyzstan 124 115 9 Korea DPR 83 75 8 This will also help fans of AFC Challenge Cup teams see what to expect in the future. http://www.football-rankings.info/2012/03/fifa-ranking-challenge-cup-impact.html FIFA Ranking: April 2012 probable ranking http://www.football-rankings.info/2012/03/fifa-ranking-april-2012-probable_23.html
