Asian teams start on road to Brazil 2014

SEOUL (AP) - Less than a year after Spain lifted the World Cup trophy in Soweto, teams from football's largest and most diverse confederation are embarking on qualifying for the 2014 edition in Brazil.
The sixteen lowest-ranked Asian nations are aiming to make it past the first round, with first-leg matches played Wednesday and the return matches on Sunday. Winners will progress to the second stage in late July.
The likes of South Korea, Japan and Australia, which all qualified for the 2010 World Cup, will not enter qualifying for Brazil until the third round begins in September.
This week features Afghanistan against a Palestinian team, the Philippines against Sri Lanka, and a southeast Asian derby between Cambodia and Laos.
In other matches, AFF Cup winner Malaysia should be too powerful for Taiwan, Vietnam is expected to beat Macau, Pakistan takes on Bangladesh, East Timor travels to Nepal and Myanmar meets Mongolia.