Qualification
The finals saw three automatic qualifiers joined by five teams from the qualification phase. Qualification consisted of two sections.
- A playoff between the 19th and 20th ranked entrants (Mongolia and Macau)
- Four qualification groups for four teams. Each group winner advanced to the finals, along with the best-ranked runner-up. Because of the withdrawal of Afghanistan the ranking of second-placed teams was excluded results of any matches against fourth-placed sides.
Read more about this topic: 2010 AFC Challenge Cup