Hard luck if you take a look at the draw results of Tuesdays AFC Champions League and AFC Cup draw for the 2012 season. Both Thai representatives are to face tough challenges.

Joy everywhere when a few days ago it became public that Thailand receives an automatic entry for the AFC Champions League group stage 2012. And with some luck, it could have been even two. Ahead of yesterdays draw held at AFC headquarter in Malaysia, some surprising withdraw were announced. Persipura Jayapura from Indonesia is excluded from the competition and therefore the qualification round, on advice from the Indonesian FA for joining the breakaway "Liga Super". Chinese representative Liaoning Whowin withdrew independently from the competition being crossly about to play in the play-offs rather than getting a direct entry.

A lot of meetings were held last week at AFC headquarter in Malaysia, toped by the yearly AFC award ceremony. Though Thailand went back home with empty hands from the ceremony, officials at least came back home with good news from Exco-meetings.

To the surprise of many, Thailand received a direct entry slot for the AFC Champions League 2012 while the second Thai representative is going to start at the initial qualification round. If the entrant fails at play-off stage, he is allowed to continue in the AFC Cup, presumed 2nd round of the Play-offs is reached. Thailand got slots in the group phase for the last time in 2008. At that time Chonburi FC as champion and Krung Thai Bank FC as runner-up were qualified. In 2008 as in 2012 Thailand benefits from Indonesia. With only 288 points as result from AFC recent evaluation, they clearly missed the mark and the direct slot to the Thais. While Indonesia dropped more than 200 points compared to the 2010 assessment, Thailand increased its performance about 20 points.

High noon at the AFC headquarter on last Wednesday. In total four drawings were on the schedule. For the first time, drawings have been broadcasted live on the official AFC Website.

The most important of all drawings made, was for the first and second Round of Asian qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™. In total six rounds of qualifying matches are necessary to determine the Nations eligible to represent Asia during the worlds biggest football tournament. It will start with the first round in June 2011 and ends with the 6th round in autumn 2013. Thailand qualifying campaign will start with the second round. Opponents are either Afghanistan or Palestine.

On 7 December the draw for the 2011 AFC Champions League and AFC Cup season was held in Malaysia. The two Thai representatives are Muang Thong United (Champion) and Chonburi FC (FA Cup winner).

Although the Asian Football Confederation inspected all participating countries and clubs recently, not much changes are to bee seen in regards to the starting slots. Singapore and Vietnam will not participate the AFC Champions League. Singapore withdrew and Vietnam lost his spot because of insufficient documents. The Vietnam spot was handed out to, no surprise nowadays, Quatar.

Nearly a year ago we had our first AFC News flash. One reason had been the results of the AFC meetings, annually taking place in November and the AFC awards. However, compared to last year, there isn't much of a change.

Let's address the positives first. This night was the night of the annual AFC awards. In all categories, there was only one Thai nominated. Or better to say, a Thai lady. As well as last year Pannipar Kamnueng was nominated for the "AFC Women’s Referee of the Year". The result was nearly the same as last year, as the first three places been awarded to the same ladies. Only the ranking was different.