Host country Sri Lanka Venue(s) 2 (in 1 host city) Third place Tajikistan | Dates 16–27 February Runners-up Turkmenistan | |
Champions North Korea (1st title) | ||
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.
Contents
Qualification
The finals saw three automatic qualifiers joined by five teams from the qualification phase. Qualification consisted of two sections.
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.
Group stage
All times are Sri Lanka Time (SLT) – UTC+5:30
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:
- points earned in the matches between the teams concerned;
- goal difference in the matches between the teams concerned;
- number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
- goal difference in all group matches;
- number of goals scored in all group matches;
- kicks from the penalty mark (if only two teams are level and they are both on the field of play);
- fewer yellow and red cards received in the group matches;
- drawing of lots by the organising committee.