Uzbekistan, who finished runners-up in the last edition of the competition, were placed in Group C alongside Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain and India.

Forty teams were divided into two zones and separated in seven groups of six or five teams each. Each group will play one round league at a centralised venue and top two teams from each group will make it to the tournament proper.

Third best teams from each West and East zones will complete the 16-team line up of the 2012 finals.

Defending champions DPR Korea were placed in Group E along with China, Timor Leste, Singapore, Malaysia and Macau.

THE GROUPINGS

Group A: Iraq, Iran, Bangladesh, Qatar, Palestine, Sri Lanka
Group B: UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives
Group C: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, India
Group D: Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Lebanon
Group E: DPR Korea, China, Timor Leste, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau
Group F: Japan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Korea Republic, Cambodia
Group G: Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Guam