KUALA LUMPUR: Palestine have withdrawn from the AFC Challenge Cup 2008 qualifying competition.

 

In a letter received by AFC, the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) said the national team’s preparations had been affected by the blockade of the Gaza Strip which prevented the movement of team members and technical staff between Gaza and the West Bank, and the PFA was pulling out due to the “hard and complicated situation”.

 

The withdrawal of the West Asian side means only hosts Cambodia, Nepal and Macau will now play in Group D with the group toppers advancing to the tournament proper in Hyderabad, India (July 30-August 10).

 

The qualifying kicks off as scheduled on May 24 with a match between Nepal and Macau at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.