Kuala Lumpur: Defending champions DPR Korea were placed in Group D of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup with Nepal, Sri Lanka and the winner of playoff 1.
The eight lowest-ranked teams out of 20, which entered the fray, will play off on a home-and-away basis and the four winners will qualify for the 16-team group phase.
Bhutan will meet Afghanistan, the Philippines will take on Mongolia, Chinese Taipei will face Laos, and Cambodia will lock horns against Macau in the play-offs to be played on February 9 and 16, 2011.
India, who won the 2008 edition of the competition, were placed in Group B alongside Turkmenistan, Pakistan and the winner of playoff 3.
Bangladesh, who hosted the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2006, will play Palestine, Myanmar and the winner of playoff 2 in Group A while Group C comprise of Tajikistan, Maldives, winner of playoff 4 and Kyrgyzstan.
The group stage will be played between March 20 to 31, 2011, and the hosts will be announced later.
THE DRAW
Playoffs (February 9 and 16, 2011)
Playoff 1: Bhutan vs Afghanistan
Playoff 2: Philippines vs Mongolia
Playoff 3: Chinese Taipei vs Laos
Playoff 4: Cambodia vs Macau
GROUP STAGE (March 20-31, 2011)
Group A: Myanmar, Palestine, Bangladesh, winner of playoff 2
Group B: Turkmenistan, India, winner of playoff 3, Pakistan
Group C: Tajikistan, Maldives, winner of playoff 4, Kyrgyzstan
Group D: DPR Korea, winner of playoff 1, Nepal, Sri Lanka
we got a good group in my opinion!
actually its very tough with india and turkmenistan
We will beat India & also two others team (Inshallah) :)
If we can get a good combination in midfield and attack with our defence and hopefully Yousuf Butt in goal by then, we can win this group!
Just need to fine tune our line-ups and get enough friendly games by early March!
the senior squad will have a greater mix of our new international discoveries, if we(PFF)plan aggressively we can look to create a big surprise
Not a good news at all. We got very tough group. Having India and Turkmenistan will make it tough for us. Pakistan needs to play more friendlies. Pakistan will need to have strong attack and midfield. Presence of Zeesh Rehman is important. Forward line can be better if Mohammad Essa takes his retirement back. Pakistan can still progress if they work hard, play as team and improve thier fitness. Hope Roberts is available around this time if his contract is extended.