LAHORE, Jan 4: Pakistan will take on Jordan, Oman and UAE in the 14th Asia Cup Football qualifiers (Group-C) to be played on a home and away basis between Feb 22 to Nov 15.

Pakistan is among 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams each and will play each other on a home and away basis with the top two teams in each group going through to the finals, which will be played from July 9-27, 2007.

The qualifying games will be played on Feb 22, March 1, Aug 16, Sept 6, Oct 11 and Nov 15.

The matches in Group-C will get under way on Feb 22 when Pakistan visit Jordan while UAE receive Oman.

Pakistan will play other away matches against Oman (Sept 6) and UAE (Nov 15). The schedule of Pakistan’s three home matches is UAE (March 1), Oman (Aug 16) and Jordan (Oct 11).

Pakistan after losing to Bangladesh in the pre-qualifying round, got a place in the qualifying round after Sri Lanka withdrew.

Sixteen teams will once again contest the final rounds of the competition in 2007, which will, for the first time, be co-hosted by four nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The four host nations - qualify automatically for the event, leaving the 24 countries to battle it out for the remaining 12 spots in the final rounds.

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 their second straight Asia Cup, beating hosts China 3-1 in final at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium.

The 12 qualifiers will join the four hosts at the finals, which kick off on July 9.

The groups:

Group A: Japan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, India.

Group B: Iran, South Korea, Syria, Chinese Taipei.

Group C : Jordan, Oman, UAE, Pakistan.

Group D: Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Australia.

Group E: China, Iraq, Singapore, Palestine.

Group F: Uzbekistan, Qatar, Hong Kong, Bangladesh.