2010 AFC Challenge Cup


The 2010 AFC Challenge Cup was the third edition of the tournament which was held from 16-27 February 2010 in Sri Lanka. India, the defending champions, fielded their under-23 team for this tournament in preparation for the 2010 Asian Games later that year. The champions, North Korea, qualified for the 2011 Asian Cup.

Qualification

The finals saw three automatic qualifiers joined by five teams from the qualification phase. Qualification consisted of two sections.
  • A playoff between the 19th and 20th ranked entrants
  • Four qualification groups for four teams. Each group winner advanced to the finals, along with the best-ranked runner-up. Because of the withdrawal of Afghanistan the ranking of second-placed teams was excluded results of any matches against fourth-placed sides.

Qualifiers

Qualifiers for the final tournament were:
The draw for the final tournament was held on 30 November 2009 at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Match officials

The following referees were chosen for the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup.
RefereesAssistant Referees


Group stage

All times are Sri Lanka Time – UTC+5:30
Key to colours in group tables
Top two placed teams advance to the semi-finals

Tie-breaking criteria

Where two or more teams end the group stage with the same number of points, their ranking is determined by the following criteria:
  1. points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;
  2. goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;
  3. number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  4. goal difference in all group matches;
  5. number of goals scored in all group matches;
  6. kicks from the penalty mark ;
  7. fewer yellow and red cards received in the group matches;
  8. drawing of lots by the organising committee.

Group A


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Group B


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Knockout stage

Semi-finals

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Goalscorers

;4 goals
;3 goals
;2 goals
;1 goal