Arduous 2014 WC journey starts Wednesday

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, The long and arduous journey to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil starts for Asian teams on Wednesday, 29 July, 2011, when the first of four qualifying rounds kicks off across the continent.

Sixteen of the lowest ranked Asian aspirants roll into action in the first round, which takes place over two legs. The return leg is scheduled for 3 July, 2011.

The eight winners will progress to join another 22 sides in Round 2, where 15 two-legged ties will be held on 23 and 28 July. 

Australia, Korea Republic, Japan, DPR Korea and Bahrain – the confederation’s top five teams in South Africa 2010 qualifying – will automatically enter in Round 3. The draw for this stage of the Asian preliminaries will be held in Rio de Janeiro on 31 July 2011. Asia has 4.5 spots in the Brazil edition with four teams qualifying directly while one will have to clear a two-tiered play-off.

Tomorrow might see a battle of minnows but Asian football fans can rest assured of edge-of-the-seat encounters across the board as witnessed recently in the second round of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

In the first encounter of the day, Cambodia host Laos at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh with the winners meeting China in the second round.

After advancing in shocking fashion to the final qualifying round of the 2012 London Olympics recently, the mood in the Malaysian camp seemed to be upbeat after a raft of encouraging results in friendlies ahead of their clash with Chinese Taipei at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

“Our opponents have arrived two days earlier to prepare for the match which shows they are serious and committed for the game,” said Malaysia coach K Rajagopal. “Like every coach, I want to start the qualifying campaign on a winning note. We respect our rivals and will do our best on the pitch to beat them.”

Rajagopal kept under wraps his strike combination after injury worries to most of his frontmen.

“Abdul Hadi Yahya, Ahmad Fakri Saarani and Norsharul Idlan Talaha have shrugged off their injuries but it might be too much to ask them to play for 90 minutes in a competitive match. Anyway, I still have one more day to decide on who to play up front and also for the other positions,” said Rajagopal.

The winners will meet Singapore in the second round.

In South Asia, Nepal clearly hold the edge over their rivals Timor Leste when the two clash at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu. The reward for the winners is a spot against Jordan in the second round.

After leading Nepal to the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 Finals, coach Graham Roberts said he was confident of making it to the next round of World Cup qualifying.

“I am not scared of any opponent but it does not mean that we are taking Timor Leste lightly despite them being way below us in FIFA ranking,” said Roberts. “The morale of my players is high and my team has the winning mentality which has boosted my morale and made me confident.”

Pakistan coach Tareq Lutfi expects a tough encounter when his men go up against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu Stadium away encounter.
“Bangladesh, as an opposition, is strong indeed. There is no chance of underestimating them. But we have come here for a win,” said Lutfi. “Our target is to reach the next round. We are hopeful on winning.”

Lebanon will be waiting in the second round for the winners of this game.

New coach Falko Goetz will be hoping to lead Vietnam to a convincing win against Macau after taking over the reins recently from Henrique Calisto. The winners get a slot against Qatar in the next round.

The Afghanistan-Palestine first leg encounter takes place at the neutral Metallurg Stadium in Tursunzade, Tajikistan. Thailand await the winners in the second round.

The Philippines are aiming to win by “two goals” against Sri Lanka when the two play the first leg in Colombo.

“We will put pressure on them (Sri Lankans) early,” coach Dan Palami said. “Winning by two goals will be most ideal for us.”

Round 1
Malaysia-Chinese Taipei
Bangladesh-Pakistan
Cambodia-Laos
Sri Lanka-Philippines
Afghanistan-Palestine
Vietnam-Macau
Nepal-Timor-Leste
Mongolia-Myanmar

Round 2
Thailand-Afghanistan or Palestine
Lebanon-Bangladesh or Pakistan
China PR-Cambodia or Laos
Turkmenistan-Indonesia
Kuwait-Sri Lanka or Philippines
Oman-Mongolia or Myanmar
Saudi Arabia-Hong Kong
Iran-Maldives
Syria-Tajikistan
Qatar-Vietnam or Macau
Iraq-Yemen
Singapore-Malaysia or Chinese Taipei
Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan
United Arab Emirates-India
Jordan-Nepal or Timor-Leste