While international attention is currently focused on 2011 AFC Asian Cup runners-up Australia's recent friendly win at Germany and 2011 AFC Asian Cup champions Japan's having to withdraw from the 2011 Copa América, the lesser footballing nations of Asia quietly learned their fates for the first and second qualifying rounds for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
On 30 March 2011, the draw for the first two knockout rounds of AFC qualifying was held in Kuala Lumpur. As best as can be determined, in both the first and second rounds, the higher seeded team hosts the first leg of every knockout series and the lower seeded team hosts the second leg.
The first leg matches of the first round will take place on 29 June 2011, while the second leg matches of the first round will take place on 3 July 2011.
First round matchups:
1: Malaysia - Taiwan
2: Bangladesh - Pakistan
3: Cambodia - Laos
4: Sri Lanka - Philippines
5: Afghanistan - Palestine
6: Vietnam - Macau
7: Nepal - Timor-Leste
8: Mongolia - Myanmar
The first leg matches of the second round will take place on 23 July 2011. The second leg matches of the second round will take place on 28 July 2011.
Second round matchups:
Thailand - Winner of 5
Lebanon - Winner of 2
China - Winner of 3
Turkmenistan - Indonesia
Kuwait - Winner of 4
Oman - Winner of 8
Saudi Arabia - Hong Kong
Iran - Maldives
Syria - Tajikistan
Qatar - Winner of 6
Iraq - Yemen
Singapore - Winner of 1
Uzbekistan - Kyrgyzstan
United Arab Emirates - India
Jordan - Winner of 7
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