The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup was in disarray yesterday following confirmation that Brunei has indeed withdrawn from Group E qualifying in Manila at the last minute.
Group E action kicks off today with 2012 losing finalist Turkmenistan squaring off with Southeast Asian side Cambodia at 4:30 p.m. at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Brunei was supposed to play the Philippines at 7:30, but the match has been scratched from the schedule because of the Sultanate’s decision to pull out due to “unavoidable circumstances.”
Philippine Football Federation general secretary Edwin Gastanes announced Brunei’s pullout yesterday.
Brunei’s pullout changes the dynamics of the five qualifying groups of the tournament since there will now be a different computation on how the two best second-placed teams will be determined as they will also qualify for the 2014 finals in the Maldives. Only the top teams in the groups are assured of a spot in the finals.
The Philippines will start its campaign on Sunday against Cambodia, a development welcomed by coach Michael Weiss, who was hoping that his Europe-based players get more training time together.
Weiss’ lineup for the tournament that includes highly regarded striker Javier Patino, Stephan Schrock and a slew of Europe-based players has been considered one of the strongest PH sides in history.