NEWS

Japan will host Yemen in their opening Group A match of the AFC 2011 Asian Cup qualifiers at KKWING Kumamoto Kenmin Sports Park Track and Field Stadium in Kumamoto on January 20. The kickoff time will be announced later.

Japan will also meet Bahrain away on January 28, Hong Kong at home on November 14 and away on November 18 next year, visit Yemen on January 6, 2010, and host Bahrain on March 3, 2010.
A total of 20 teams have been divided into five groups of four teams. The top two finishers from each group will qualify for the finals, joining defending champions Iraq, last year’s runners-up Saudi Arabia and third-place finishers Korea Republic, as well as hosts Qatar. The winners of the AFC Challenge Cup in 2008 and 2010 will also earn a place in the finals.