Osaka to host 2007 AFC Futsal Championship

Osaka will host the ninth edition of the AFC Futsal Championship next year after Japan”s bid to stage the premier continental event was accepted by the AFC Futsal Committee here recently. 

The committee meeting was chaired by Japan Football Association Vice-President and FIFA Executive Committee member Junji Ogura.

The championship is rotated among the AFC”s four zones and it was the turn of West Asia in 2007. But lack of interest saw the bidding process being opened to the next zone in line East Asia, and here only Japan lodged a bid.

The AFC Executive Committee, which will meet in July, is expected to give the final go-ahead to Osaka.

The AFC Futsal Committee also proposed a change in the format of the AFC Futsal Championship by including a quarterfinal stage and decided that 12 teams would qualify directly for the finals next year based on the ranking in the eighth edition while four teams would come through the qualifiers.

The members deliberated on bids from Thailand and the Philippines for the 2008 edition and agreed to take a decision only after inspection visits to the stadiums and facilities.

Palestine”s withdrawal from this year”s championship was referred to the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

(the-afc.com)