2014 AFC Challenge Cup

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]

2014 AFC Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Host countryMaldives
Dates19–30 May
Teams8
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 played16
Goals scored35 (2.19 per match)
Attendance51,500 (3,219 per match)
Top scorer(s) Ashraf Nu'man
(4 goals)
Best player(s) Murad Ismail

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

0°38′28.68″S 73°8′28.8″E

Capacity: 13,000

(renovated)

 Capacity: 5,000

(renovated)

Qualification
Main article: 2014 AFC Challenge Cup 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
CountryQualified asQualified onPrevious appearances in tournament
 MaldivesHosts28 November 20121 (2012)
 AfghanistanGroup C winner6 March 20132 (2006, 2008)
 MyanmarGroup A winner6 March 20132 (2008, 2010)
 PalestineGroup D winner6 March 20132 (2006, 2012)
 LaosBest runner-up team21 March 20130 (debut)
 KyrgyzstanGroup B winner21 March 20132 (2006, 2010)
 PhilippinesGroup E winner26 March 20132 (2006, 2012)
 Turkmenistan2nd best runner-up team26 March 20133 (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
Main article: 2014 AFC Challenge Cup 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 (H) 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
Source:
(H) Host.
Palestine 1–0 Kyrgyzstan
Abuhabib  90+6' Report
Attendance: 500
Maldives 2–3 Myanmar
Umair  55'
Ashfaq  90+6'		 Report Kyaw Ko Ko  39', 90+5'
Nyein Chan Aung  45+1'
Attendance: 8,300
Myanmar 0–2 Palestine
Report Abuhabib  45+4'
Nu'man  50'
Attendance: 600
Kyrgyzstan 0–2 Maldives
Report Ashfaq  61', 71'
Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Wang Di (China PR)
Maldives 0–0 Palestine
Report
Attendance: 8,300
Kyrgyzstan 1–0 Myanmar
Verevkin  18' Report
Attendance: 300

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
Source:
Turkmenistan 5–1 Laos
Baýramow  42'
Durdyýew  50' (pen.), 85'
Keodouangdeth  55' (o.g.)
Hojaahmedow  87'		 Report Sayavutthi  34'
Attendance: 500
Philippines 0–0 Afghanistan
Report
Attendance: 500
Laos 0–2 Philippines
Report Rota  41'
Reichelt  63'
Attendance: 300
Referee: Dmitriy Mashentsev (Kyrgyzstan)
Afghanistan 3–1 Turkmenistan
Amiri  45+1'
Hatifi  61'
Shayesteh  86'		 Report Muhadow  64'
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Jameel Abdulhusin (Bahrain)
Turkmenistan 0–2 Philippines
Report P. Younghusband  49'
Reichelt  73'
Attendance: 500
Afghanistan 0–0 Laos
Report
Attendance: 600

Knockout stage
 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
27 May
 
 
 Palestine2
 
30 May
 
 Afghanistan0
 
 Palestine1
 
27 May
 
 Philippines0
 
 Philippines (a.e.t.)3
 
 
 Maldives2
 
Third place
 
 
29 May
 
 
 Afghanistan1 (7)
 
 
 Maldives (p)1 (8)

Semi-finals
Palestine 2–0 Afghanistan
Nu'man  43' (pen.), 47' Report
Attendance: 500
Philippines 3–2 (a.e.t.) Maldives
P. Younghusband  19'
Lucena  38'
C. Greatwich  104'		 Report Umair  36'
Abdulla  66'
Attendance: 8,300

Third place play-off
Afghanistan 1–1 (a.e.t.) Maldives
Karimi  114' Report Fasir  118'
Penalties
Alikhil
Zazai
Hadid
Karimi
Faqiryar
Sharityar
Daudi
Sakhizada
Shayesteh 		7–8[27] Ashfaq
Abdul Ghanee
Fasir
Rilwan
Qasim
Rasheed
Ali
Mohamed
Fazeel
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Dmitriy Mashentsev (Kyrgyzstan)

Final
Main article: 2014 AFC Challenge Cup Final
Palestine 1–0 Philippines
Nu'man  59' Report
Attendance: 6,300

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