Is it not too early to say that groups have been finalized ? Is it sure that AFC will use January ranking and not December ranking ? And if they are using January ranking what about upcoming friendlies in January ? Singapore is playing UAE on 4. January and other countries may also schedule friendlies to improve ranking and seeding.
Cutting it fine! http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/1163581/kuwait-to-amend-law-to-end-ioc-fifa-led-suspension J Just on an unrelated note, is it just me or is the font in this article really weird - particularly the i's and s's.
Are the AFC asking the Kuwaitis "hai guys - are you still suspended - kthxbye?" ? Is that what I am reading? J
"The AFC Competitions Committee has agreed to consider the status of Kuwait and their participation in the qualifers if there is sufficient progress towards the lifting of the suspension by FIFA by January 11, 2017 - the day afer the next meeting of the FIFA Council. At present, Kuwait are suspended from all football by FIFA. The January 11 deadline will be final and should the situation regarding the KFA not have changed, the Kuwait team will be replaced with a draw which will take place on January 23, 2017, in Abu Dhabi, UAE." http://the-afc.com/media-releases/deadline-for-decision-on-kuwaits-participation-extended
The AFC article says if there is not sufficient progress by Jan 11, Kuwait will be replaced. Who would be the replacement would be interesting. There are few options: one could be to pick up the best performer among the losers of the play-offs, the other option is to include the winner of Solidarity Cup.
Won't be any need for a replacement. Kuwait continue to get the decision delayed. Afc want them to be included, afc aren't cut throat as they were with Indonesia.. Anyway. Rest assured, Kuwait will be in qualifiers.
Yup, I think that's fair. There's bound to be too much controversy regarding exactly how the best performer from the play-offs losers is selected. I also think Nepal will do reasonably well in the qualifiers, as they got rid of many of the older players in their national side and integrated some very exciting young talent to their ranks.
December 27, 2016 – Here is a piece of good news for all Nepali football lovers! Nepal have been offered a spot in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifiers. The AFC confirmed Nepal's participation today after Guam withdrew from the competition. Nepal's success in the recently held AFC Solidarity Cup in Malaysia helped them grab the opportunity. The draw of the qualifiers will be done on January 23, 2017. A total of 24 teams will be vying for the 12 spots available in the tournament proper to be held in 2019 in UAE. The 24 teams in qualifiers will be divided into six groups with four teams in each group. The top two finishers from each group will qualify for the main event. http://the-anfa.com/newspage-728-n
It is uncertain whether AFC will move their goalposts again after Jan 11 or not. If they decide to disqualify the Kuwait team, Macau should be the second lucky loser as they were the runner-up of AFC Solidarity Cup.
They (Kuwait sport officials) insisted they were making “serious efforts” to conform to requirements but in response, the IOC said it “was not prepared to reconsider the situation” until Kuwait follows certain rules compatible with the Olympic Charter. There is a big possibility FIFA does not agree with lifting of Kuwait suspension.
withdrawals are the concern when throwing all asian nations into pots. most of the minnow nations have exhausted there funds and Guam is the first to throw the towel.. I hope we dont see anymore and AFC start providing some guidance..
no news about the draws... no news about the pots. (in beach soccer, they announced the pots, 1 day before the draw)