India seeded ahead of North Korea in AFC Asian Cup finals draw

New Delhi: India have been seeded 15th ahead of DPR Korea for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup finals draw to be held in Doha, Qatar, tomorrow after the organising committee announced the procedure. The 12-member organising committee, headed by Zhang Jilong of China, did not follow the procedure of 2007 edition when the teams were seeded according to then latest FIFA rankings. India, the lowest ranked side among the 16 participating countries at 132nd, have been placed in Pot Four along with Syria, Kuwait and DPR Korea. Hosts Qatar have been seeded first and placed in Pot One along with defending champions Iraq, last edition losing finalists Saudi Arabia and third-place country South Korea. Pot Two has Asia`s FIFA highest-ranked side Australia, second ranked Japan, Iran and Uzbekistan. China, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan have been placed in Pot Three.India, who qualified for the continent`s showpiece event after 26 years by winning the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup at home, would be hoping to avoid Bahrain from Pot Three as the Gulf country narrowly missed a 2010 World Cup qualification by losing to New Zealand in play-off. Bob Houghton`s men would prefer either Jordan or China, who have been a considerably weakened side in recent years, from Pot Three. From Pot One, India would prefer either Iraq or Qatar as South Korea and Saudi Arabia are currently two of the strongest sides in Asia. Iraq, though defending champions, have not been able to instill fear among other Asian countries after winning the 2007 edition due to various factors, including volatile domestic conditions and recent ban by FIFA due to government interference in running football in the country though it was lifted later.A host of Indian officials, including All India Football Federation President Praful Patel, General Secretary Alberto Colaco, and coach Houghton will be in Doha for the draw ceremony at the Aspire Dome. On Saturday, AFC chief Mohamed bin Hammam will chair in Doha a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for Indian Professional Football which was set up recently. Besides Hammam, Patel and Colaco, other members of the panel are Alan Durante (Mahindra United president), Pronab Das Gupta (East Bengal president), Larsing Sawyan (Shillong Lajong owner), Joaquim Alemao (Churchill Brothers), Manilal Fernando (AFC vice-president), Thierry Regenass (director development division of FIFA) and Michelle Chai (AFC Vision Asia director). PTI