2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.: Cambodia to face either Chinese Taipei or Guam in AFC Asian Cup play-off
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Cambodia will either face Chinese Taipei or Guam in the play-off for a seat in the third round qualifiers of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
The Angkor Warriors are among the four teams that will compete in the play-off, according to the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC). Indonesia, Chinese Taipei and Guam are also in the group.
The four countries have to go through a play-off after a dismal performance at the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Cambodia, for instance, conceded a record 44 goals during the recently-concluded qualifiers in Bahrain, according to the AFC.
Indonesia and Cambodia are in Pot A, while Chinese Taipei and Guam are in Pot B. “It means that Cambodia will either face Chinese Taipei or Guam in the play-off,” the FFC noted.
The draw for the play-off will be held on June 24.
Under the tournament rules, the opposing teams will play in a two-legged playoff, with the winners advancing to the third round of the qualifiers.
The first-leg match will be held on September 7, followed by the second-leg battle on October 12.
There are already 22 countries that have qualified for the third round, including Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Palestine, Malaysia, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Thailand, Singapore Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Yemen, Mongolia and Bangladesh.
In the third round qualifiers, the 24 teams will be divided into six groups. The top 11 teams will advance to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Finals.
They will join the 13 countries that have already qualified for the Finals, including China, Syria, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Iraq, Vietnam and Lebanon.
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup Finals will be held in China from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
The AFC Asian Cup is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the region. It is held every four years. Qatar topped the 2019 edition of the tournament.
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