2014 AFC Challenge Cup

2014 AFC Challenge Cup
Tournament details
Host countryMaldives
Dates19 – 30 May
Teams8
Venue(s)2 (in 2 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Palestine (1st title)
Runners-up Philippines
Third place Maldives
Fourth place Afghanistan
Tournament statistics
Matches played16
Goals scored35 (2.19 per match)
Attendance51,500 (3,219 per match)
Top scorer(s)State of Palestine Ashraf Nu'man
(4 goals)
Best player(s)State of Palestine Murad Ismail
Best goalkeeperState of Palestine Ramzi Saleh
2012
2016
(AFC Solidarity Cup) →

The 2014 AFC Challenge Cup was the fifth and the final edition of the AFC Challenge Cup,[1] an international football competition for Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nations that are mainly categorized as "emerging countries" in the now defunct Vision Asia programme. It took place in the Maldives from 19 to 30 May 2014.[2] The champions, Palestine, qualified to the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[3]

Palestine were crowned the victors after winning the final against the Philippines 1–0 after Ashraf Nu'man scored a free kick in the 59th minute. Palestine won the title with a perfect sweep of individual awards. This includes Murad Ismail as the best player, Ramzi Saleh as the best goalkeeper, and Ashraf Nu'man as the top scorer.[4]

  1. ^ "Revamp of AFC competitions". The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  2. ^ "AFC Calendar of Competitions 2014" (PDF). The-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  3. ^ "AFC Challenge Cup 2014 Regulations" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Historic football victory provides another global stage for Palestine". Mondoweiss. 31 May 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2024.