2014 AFC Challenge Cup

2014 AFC Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Host country Maldives
Dates 19–30 May
Teams 8
Venue(s) 2 (in 2 host cities)
Final positions
Champions  Palestine (1st title)
Runners-up  Philippines
Third place  Maldives
Fourth place  Afghanistan
Tournament statistics
Matches played 16
Goals scored 35 (2.19 per match)
Attendance 51,500 (3,219 per match)
Top scorer(s) State of Palestine Ashraf Nu'man
(4 goals)
Best player State of Palestine Murad Ismail Said

The 2014 AFC Challenge Cup was the fifth and the final edition of the AFC Challenge Cup,[1] an international football competition for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nations that are mainly categorized as "emerging countries" in the now defunct Vision Asia programme. It took place from 19 to 30 May 2014.[2] The winner, Palestine, qualified to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[3]

Hosts

The AFC decided that an automatic qualification place will be given to the tournament's hosts starting from this edition.[4] Four countries then expressed interest in bidding to host the tournament; India,[5] Maldives,[6] Philippines,[7] and Tajikistan.[8] The AFC announced on 13 November 2012 that the Philippines and Maldives were in the final shortlist to host the Finals.[9] The final decision was taken in the AFC Competitions Committee meeting on 28 November 2012, and the hosting rights were given to the Maldives.[10] The Maldives Ministry of Youth and Sports then claimed that they wanted to host the tournament due to the poor facilities they encountered in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup which the Maldives qualified and competed in.[11]

In mid-November 2013, AFC president Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa announced that the Philippines would be the backup hosts "if something goes wrong in Maldives."[12] By 25 November, the AFC proposed - pending the approval of the Executive Committee - to move the tournament from the Maldives to the Philippines if the Maldives do not start the required renovation work by 15 December 2013.[13] The AFC then inspected possible venues in Manila and the Philippine Football Federation claimed that they would be ready to host the tournament if given the nod.[14][15] Despite this, the Maldives' Ministry of Youth and Sports said they would do everything necessary for the country to host the tournament.[16][17] On 7 January 2014, the AFC announced that the Maldives would remain as the host of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.[18]

Venues

After the Maldives were given the hosting rights of the tournament, the Maldives' Ministry of Youth and Sports stated that the listed venues below would be used but renovations would be required.[11] Renovations then started in mid-January 2014 and was expected to be completed within 90 days.[19][20] In a function on 12 May, the National Stadium was handed over to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and opened by President Abdulla Yameen. The stadium was also re-branded as the 'National Football Stadium'.[21][22] Another function six days later at the second venue, originally known as the Hithadhoo Zone Stadium, was handed over and inaugurated by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. It was also re-branded as the 'Addu Footbal Stadium'.[23]

Malé, Kaafu Atoll Addu City, Addu Atoll
National Football Stadium Addu Football Stadium

4°10′26.7″N 73°30′47.1″E / 4.174083°N 73.513083°E / 4.174083; 73.513083 (Galolhu National Stadium)

0°38′28.68″S 73°8′28.8″E / 0.6413000°S 73.141333°E / -0.6413000; 73.141333 (Addu City)

Capacity: 13,000

(renovated)

 Capacity: 5,000

(renovated)

Qualification

The qualification draw was held on 11 December 2012 in AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[24] The twenty teams involved in the qualification draw were drawn into five groups of four teams. The five group winners plus the two best second-placed teams qualified for the finals. North Korea, the 2010 and 2012 champions, were excluded from participating in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.[10]

Qualified nations

Country Qualified asQualified on Previous appearances in tournament
 Maldives Hosts 28 November 2012 1 (2012)
 Afghanistan Group C winner 6 March 2013 2 (2006, 2008)
 Myanmar Group A winner 6 March 2013 2 (2008, 2010)
 Palestine Group D winner 6 March 2013 2 (2006, 2012)
 Laos Best runner-up team 21 March 2013 0 (debut)
 Kyrgyzstan Group B winner 21 March 2013 2 (2006, 2010)
 Philippines Group E winner 26 March 2013 2 (2006, 2012)
 Turkmenistan 2nd best runner-up team 26 March 2013 3 (2008, 2010, 2012)

Draw

The eight participating teams were drawn into two brackets of the group stage. To prepare for this, the teams were separated into four pots of two teams each based on their performance in the 2012 edition of the tournament with the exception of hosts being placed in Pot 1. The final draw was held at the Paradise Island Resort in the Maldives on 12 February 2014.[25][26]

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4

 Maldives (hosts)
 Turkmenistan

 Philippines
 Palestine

 Kyrgyzstan
 Afghanistan

 Laos
 Myanmar

Squads

Each team can name a squad of 23 players.[3]

Group stage

Tie-breaking criteria

The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss) and tie breakers are in following order:[3]

  1. Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  2. Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
  3. Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  4. Goal difference in all the group matches;
  5. Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches;
  6. Kicks from the penalty mark if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play;
  7. Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches; (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for each direct red card, 4 points for each yellow card followed by a direct red card)
  8. Drawing of lots.
Key to colours in group tables
Top two placed teams advance to the semi-finals

Group A

Team Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
 Palestine 3 2 1 0 3 0 +3 7
 Maldives 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
 Kyrgyzstan 3 1 0 2 1 3 −2 3
 Myanmar 3 1 0 2 3 5 −2 3

19 May 2014 (2014-05-19)
16:00
Palestine  1–0  Kyrgyzstan
Abuhabib  90+6' Report

19 May 2014 (2014-05-19)
21:00
Maldives  2–3  Myanmar
Umair  55'
Ashfaq  90+6' 		Report Kyaw Ko Ko  39', 90+5'
Nyein Chan Aung  45+1'

21 May 2014 (2014-05-21)
16:00
Myanmar  0–2  Palestine
Report Abuhabib  45+4'
Nu'man  50'

21 May 2014 (2014-05-21)
21:00
Kyrgyzstan  0–2  Maldives
Report Ashfaq  61', 71'
National Football Stadium, Malé
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Wang Di (China PR)

23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
21:00
Maldives  0–0  Palestine
Report

23 May 2014 (2014-05-23)
21:00
Kyrgyzstan  1–0  Myanmar
Verevkin  18' Report

Group B

Team Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
 Philippines 3 2 1 0 4 0 +4 7
 Afghanistan 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5
 Turkmenistan 3 1 0 2 6 6 0 3
 Laos 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6 1

20 May 2014 (2014-05-20)
16:00
Turkmenistan  5–1  Laos
Baýramow  42'
Durdyýew  50' (pen.), 85'
Keodouangdeth  55' (o.g.)
Hojaahmedow  87' 		Report Sayavutthi  34'

20 May 2014 (2014-05-20)
22:00[nb 1]
Philippines  0–0  Afghanistan
Report

22 May 2014 (2014-05-22)
16:00
Laos  0–2  Philippines
Report Rota  41'
Reichelt  63'

22 May 2014 (2014-05-22)
21:00
Afghanistan  3–1  Turkmenistan
Amiri  45+1'
Hatifi  61'
Shayesteh  86' 		Report Muhadow  64'
Addu Football Stadium, Addu City
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Jameel Abdulhusin (Bahrain)

24 May 2014 (2014-05-24)
16:00
Turkmenistan  0–2  Philippines
Report P. Younghusband  49'
Reichelt  73'

24 May 2014 (2014-05-24)
16:00
Afghanistan  0–0  Laos
Report

Knockout stage

Semi-finals Final
27 May
  Palestine  2  
  Afghanistan  0  
 
30 May
      Palestine  1
    Philippines  0
Third place
27 May 29 May
  Philippines (a.e.t.)  3   Afghanistan  1 (7)
  Maldives  2     Maldives (pen.)  1 (8)

Semi-finals

27 May 2014 (2014-05-27)
15:30
Palestine  2–0  Afghanistan
Nu'man  43' (pen.), 47' Report

27 May 2014 (2014-05-27)
21:00
Philippines  3–2 (a.e.t.)  Maldives
P. Younghusband  19'
Lucena  38'
C. Greatwich  104' 		Report Umair  36'
Abdulla  66'

Third place play-off

Final

30 May 2014 (2014-05-30)
21:00
Palestine  5-1  Philippines
Nu'man  59' Report

Statistics

Winner

 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Champions 

Palestine
First title

Player awards

Goalscorers

4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Own goal

Team statistics

This table shows all team performance. Matches that ended in a penalty shoot out are counted as draws

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD
Reached the knockout stage
1 Palestine 541060+6
2 Philippines 531173+4
3 Maldives 5122770
4 Afghanistan 5131440
Eliminated in the group stage
5 Turkmenistan 3102660
6 Myanmar 310235−2
7 Kyrgyzstan 310213−2
8 Laos 301217−6

Notes

  1. ↑ Kickoff delayed from 21:00 due to rain.

References

  1. ↑ "Revamp of AFC competitions". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
  2. ↑ "AFC Calendar of Competitions 2014" (PDF). The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  3. 1 2 3 "AFC Challenge Cup 2014 Regulations" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  4. ↑ "Tajik FF applauded for excellent hosting". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2012-10-01. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  5. ↑ "India to bid for 2014 AFC Challenge Cup". Zee News. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  6. ↑ Ameen Faisal (2012-10-13). "Maldives submits bid to host AFC Challenge Cup". Maldives Soccer. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
  7. ↑ "Philippines keen on Challenge Cup hosting". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2012-10-26.
  8. ↑ ФФТ подала заявку на проведение финала Кубка вызова АФК-2014. FFT.tj (in Russian). Tajikistan Football Federation. 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  9. ↑ "India's AFC Challenge Cup bid in doubt - report". Goal.com. 2012-11-13. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  10. 1 2 "Maldives to host 2014 AFC Challenge Cup". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 28 November 2012.
  11. 1 2 Shimaz Ali (2012-11-29). "Minister announces full support to FAM to organise Challenge Cup". Maldive Soccer. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  12. ↑ "AFC: RP ready to host meet". Tempo (Philippines). 2013-11-16. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  13. ↑ "ACL: East vs West final proposed". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2013-11-25.
  14. ↑ Karlo Sacamos (2013-12-01). "AFC inspects possible Manila venues as it weighs possible Challenge Cup switch". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved 2013-12-02.
  15. ↑ Karl Decena (2013-12-04). "PFF ready to host 2014 Challenge Cup should Maldives fail to meet renovation deadline". Interaksyon. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  16. ↑ Shimaz Ali (2013-11-26). "Maldives will start the work before the deadline – Minister". Maldive Soccer. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  17. ↑ ޗެލެންޖް ކަޕް ބޭއްވުން މި ވަގުތަށް ވަރަށް މުހިންމު: މިނިސްޓަރު (in Divehi). Maldives: Haveeru. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  18. ↑ Karl Decena (2014-01-08). "2014 Challenge Cup to remain in Maldives". InterAksyon. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  19. ↑ Shimaz Ali (2014-01-13). "Renovation works starts". Maldive Soccer. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  20. ↑ "Hithadhoo Zone Stadium development project officially begins". Sun Online (Maldives). 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  21. ↑ "Renovation of Galolhu National Stadium complete: AMIN Construction". Sun Online (Maldives). 2014-05-13. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  22. ↑ Shimaaz Ali (2014-05-16). "National Stadium re-branded". Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  23. ↑ "Zone Stadium rebranded as ‘Addu Football Stadium’". Sun Online (Malidves). 2014-05-18. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  24. ↑ "Up for the challenge". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  25. ↑ "AFC Challenge Cup draw date set". Asian Football Confederation. 2014-01-07.
  26. ↑ "AFC Challenge Cup 2014 draw". Asian Football Confederation. 2014-02-12.
  27. ↑ Mohamed Sajid (29 May 2014). "Maldives wins third place". Maldives Soccer. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  28. 1 2 "Palestinians take top individual awards". AFC. 30 May 2014.

External links

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