LAHORE, Aug 17: Pakistan take on Bangladesh in the preliminary qualifying round of the 14th Asia Cup football qualifying rounds being played on home and away basis on Nov 13 and 18.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are meeting as two lowest-ranked teams of the region among the 25 countries, competing in the qualifying rounds. The winners from Pakistan and Bangladesh will join the club of 24 countries which will play the qualifying round being held in 2006. Pakistan will visit Bangladesh for the first leg on Nov 11 and will be the host on Nov 18.

The Asia Cup will be held in four countries Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in August 2007 with 16 teams participating, including four host nations and 12 qualifiers from Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The 24 countries participating in the qualifying round would be divided into six groups. The draws will be taken out in Jan 2006. All the teams will play on home and away basis starting from February 2006.

For the first time holders Japan, will not earn direct entry in the 16-team final phase and will have to compete in the qualification tournament. Japan clinched the last edition on Aug 7, 2004 when they won its second straight Asia Cup, beating hosts China 3-1 in final at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium.