Top three at Asian Cup get byes into 2015 edition

The top three finishers at the Asian Cup in Qatar will automatically qualify for the 2015 edition in Australia, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed today.

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The top three finishers at the Asian Cup in Qatar will automatically qualify for the 2015 edition in Australia, the Asian Football Confederation confirmed on Tuesday.

It was the same scenario for the current tournament, which allowed 2007 winners Iraq, runners-up Saudi Arabia and third-placed South Korea to avoid the qualifying process.

"The top three teams have a bye to the 2015 tournament, which will be held in Australia. This is to motivate the teams," said tournament director Tokuaki Suzuki.

He added that if 2015 hosts Australia qualify as one of the top three in Doha, no new berth would be created.

Australia play Uzbekistan in the semi-finals later on Tuesday, with South Korea facing Japan in the other last-four clash.