Azkals grouped with Turkmenistan, Laos, Afghanistan in AFC Challenge Cup

The Philippine Azkals found themselves in Group B alongside Turkmenistan, Laos, and Afghanistan, for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, after the draw was conducted Wednesday, at the Paradise Island Resort in the Maldives.

AFC Challenge Cup Maldives 2014 : Official Draw Result pic.twitter.com/gbbXvsnAh4

— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) February 12, 2014

Based on the current FIFA rankings, the Philippines is actually the best squad in the tourney at 17th in Asia. Turkmenistan is 19th, Laos is 29th, and Afghanistan is 23rd.

Group A meanwhile is comprised of hosts Maldives (34th), Myanmar (18th), Kyrgyzstan (26th), and Palestine (24t).

Last March, the Philippines topped Group E, beating Turkmenistan and Cambodia in the three-squad group, after Brunei withdrew from the competition, in games played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

In the 2012 edition hosted by Nepal, the Philippines finished third, besting Palestine 4-3, while North Korea topped the tourney via a 2-1 triumph against Turkmenistan. This year, the tourney is slated for May 19 to 30 in Maldives, with the winner getting a slot in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

The 2014 AFC Challenge Cup will actually be the last of its kind. Last January, the AFC revamped its slate of competitions, expanding the AFC Asian Cup to 24 teams, up from 16. In the past, winners of the Challenge Cup qualified for the Asian Cup. - AMD, GMA News