Malaysia faces Singapore showdown
Source: Agencies |
March 31, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE AFC headquarters were filled with groans after Malaysia was handed a possible showdown against archrival Singapore in the second round of 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying when the draw was made yesterday.
Malaysia, winners of the Southeast Asian AFF Cup in December, must first overcome Chinese Taipei over two legs in one of eight first round ties which featured the regions lowest ranked teams.
Fifteen second-round matches were then drawn featuring the eight first round winners and the teams ranked between sixth and 27 in the region by FIFA.
Heavy groans and many wry smiles were witnessed in the Kuala Lumpur-based offices of the AFC as Malaysia or Chinese Taipei were drawn to play Singapore.
The match rekindles the searing rivalry between these two neighbors which raged during the Malaysia Cup in the 1990s. The two legs of the first round matches are due to be played on June 29 and July 3 with opening legs of the second round matches taking place on July 23 and the return five days later.
China will face the winners of the ties between Cambodia and Laos.
Gulf heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran, who like Singapore received a first-round bye, were dealt a kind draw when they were paired against unheralded China's Hong Kong and Maldives, respectively.
FIFA ban
Indonesia, which could face a FIFA ban for government interference, was drawn against Turkmenistan in the second round with 2007 Asian Cup winner Iraq facing a tricky tie against Yemen, which plays its matches at one of the highest grounds in the world.
Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup, starts its campaign against the winners of the Vietnam and Macau first round tie.
The winners of the 15 second round ties will join last year's four World Cup finalists Japan, Australia, South and North Korea and Bahrain, which missed out to New Zealand in a final playoff, in the third round where they will be drawn into five groups of four teams. The group winners and runners-up will be drawn into two pools of five teams with the top two claiming a place at the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Malaysia, winners of the Southeast Asian AFF Cup in December, must first overcome Chinese Taipei over two legs in one of eight first round ties which featured the regions lowest ranked teams.
Fifteen second-round matches were then drawn featuring the eight first round winners and the teams ranked between sixth and 27 in the region by FIFA.
Heavy groans and many wry smiles were witnessed in the Kuala Lumpur-based offices of the AFC as Malaysia or Chinese Taipei were drawn to play Singapore.
The match rekindles the searing rivalry between these two neighbors which raged during the Malaysia Cup in the 1990s. The two legs of the first round matches are due to be played on June 29 and July 3 with opening legs of the second round matches taking place on July 23 and the return five days later.
China will face the winners of the ties between Cambodia and Laos.
Gulf heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran, who like Singapore received a first-round bye, were dealt a kind draw when they were paired against unheralded China's Hong Kong and Maldives, respectively.
FIFA ban
Indonesia, which could face a FIFA ban for government interference, was drawn against Turkmenistan in the second round with 2007 Asian Cup winner Iraq facing a tricky tie against Yemen, which plays its matches at one of the highest grounds in the world.
Qatar, hosts of the 2022 World Cup, starts its campaign against the winners of the Vietnam and Macau first round tie.
The winners of the 15 second round ties will join last year's four World Cup finalists Japan, Australia, South and North Korea and Bahrain, which missed out to New Zealand in a final playoff, in the third round where they will be drawn into five groups of four teams. The group winners and runners-up will be drawn into two pools of five teams with the top two claiming a place at the World Cup finals in Brazil.
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