The 2010 AFC Challenge Cup qualification phase saw five teams advance to the finals to join three automatic qualifiers in the final tournament in Sri Lanka.
Qualification consisted of two sections.
A playoff between the 19th and 20th ranked entrants (Mongolia and Macau)
Four qualification groups for four teams. Each group winner advanced to the finals, along with the best-ranked runner-up. Because of the withdrawal of Afghanistan, the ranking of second-placed teams excluded results of any matches against fourth-placed sides.[1]
Seeding
Seeding was based partially on the FIFA World Ranks as at January 2009 (ranking shown in brackets).
3–3 on aggregate. Macau advanced to the group phase on the away goals rule.
Qualifying group stage
Qualification was officially scheduled to take place from 2–13 April 2009, although the actual dates began before and extended beyond that.[3] Each qualification group was held in a single location - Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka hosting their respective groups.
The teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss) and tie breakers were in following order:[1]
Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
Goal difference in all the group matches;
Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches;
Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches; (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for each direct red card, 4 points for each yellow card followed by a direct red card)
Drawing of lots.
Key to colours in group tables
Group winners and runners-up qualify for the final tournament
