AFC Challenge Cup 2014: Maldives to host 2014 AFC Challenge Cup

AFC Challenge Cup 2014 to be hosted by Maldives

The AFC committee declared Maldives as the hosts for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. The AFC Challenge Cup will be an eight team event. India also made a bid for hosting the event but their bid was turned down. Defending Champions North Korea will not be participating in the upcoming edition or the future editions of the tournament. Hosts Maldives will not have to play out the qualification rounds as they are assured of a spot in the main draw due to automatic qualification criteria for the hosts. The winners of the 8 nation tournament will directly qualify for the prestigious AFC Asia Cup which will take place in Australia. The AFC Committee also decided in favor of 16-team Finals for 2019 and the winners of the AFC Challenge Cup 2016 and 2018 will no more get direct slots in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup but will have to play the play-offs with the two best remaining teams from the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers who failed to qualify for the Finals.

All decisions of this committee need to be ratified by the AFC Executive Committee to take effect.

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About Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!

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