Draw revealed for final round of 2019 Asia Cup qualifying

Denzil Pinto 08:14 24/01/2017
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  • Jordan coach Dr Abullah Misfer has promised his team will “fight to qualify” for the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE after being drawn alongside Vietnam, Afghanistan and Cambodia in the final round.

    The 54-year-old Emirati and 23 other nations learnt their fate yesterday at the draw ceremony in their bid of claiming one of the 12 qualification spots for Asia’s showpiece event in the UAE in two years time.

    Having taken charge of the national team last month, Dr Misfer’s first task is guiding the nation to their fourth continental appearance in the UAE.

    As the top-ranked nation in yesterday’s draw in Abu Dhabi, his men sit 107th in the FIFA World Rankings and there will be big expectations to claim one of the top two spots in Group C with Vietnam (136), Afghanistan (151) and Cambodia (172) occupying low positions.

    “We cannot say there is a weak team in Asia,” said the former UAE Olympic coach. “There is a big improvement and nearly all the teams are in the same level. We will fight to qualify but there are  another three teams in the group.

    “This is one of my main dreams to qualify and will fight to do this.”

    Elsewhere, India, 2011 Asian Cup quarter-finalists, will meet Myanmar, Macau, and Kyrgyz Republic in Group A, while DPR Korea, Hong Kong, Lebanon and Malaysia will battle in Group B.

    In Group D, Oman face Palestine, Maldives and Bhutan, while Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Singapore make up Group E.

    Group F consists of Philippines, Tajikistan, Yemen and Nepal.

    Each team will play on a home and away basis with the first matches scheduled from March 28.

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