A Little Research Clarifies the Situation – U-14: Nepal Vs Tajikistann – ANFA’s Protest

Controversies has surrounded as ANFA has filed protest letter to the AFC claiming that the match went against AFC’s U-14 Championship regulations.

Nepal played 1-1 draw against Tajikistan and the referees ended up the game dividing points between two teams which shatters Nepal’s hope to qualify in the final round of AFC U-14 Championship which will be played in 2014.

The story turns around when ANFA files protest complaining that the match was acted against AFC U-14 Championship guidelines.

As it can be seen in the highlighted area which is part of AFC guideline on U-14 Championship(full guideline can be seen here), AFC has talked about the matter as it states that match is followed by penalty kicks if it is drawn but they have never mentioned if these rules are for league based group matches or knock out stages.

Similarly with little research we can find that AFC has clearly stated about the outcome of draws on both scenario in similar kind of tournament. The rules and guideline of AFC U-14 women’s championship clarify the penalty system is applicable only for knockout stage as a part of it can be seen in the image below.

Full regulations for women’s U-14 Championship can be verified here.

This means that AFC has failed to generate proper regulations as current one creates confusion but somewhere in same guideline we can see that AFC has clearly stated about group and knockout stages.

If you follow this link  and scroll to l6 number where you can find the technical guideline, AFC has clearly stated that teams will share points if a match is drawn in group matches.

Although ANFA has filed a protest and we are yet to hear from AFC, these facts suggests that the protest will not yield results favoring Nepal. If AFC has to change its decision based on this protest, it effects entire qualifiers as there are already 10 draws in three different groups in the qualifiers.

A little research would have clarified the confusion, although we are yet to hear from the AFC.

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