In the group stage, the twelve teams were divided into three groups of four teams each. Each group was played in a
single round-robin format at a centralized venue. The top two teams from each group qualified for the
final stage. The teams are ranked according to
points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss) and tie breakers are in following order: • Greater number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; •
Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned; • Greater number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned; • Goal difference in all the group matches; • Greater number of goals scored in all the group matches; •
Kicks from the penalty mark if only two teams are involved and they are both on the field of play; • Fewer score calculated according to the number of yellow and red cards received in the group matches; (1 point for each yellow card, 3 points for each red card as a consequence of two yellow cards, 3 points for each direct red card, 4 points for each yellow card followed by a direct red card) • Drawing of lots. On 2 March 2012, the AFC announced that the three hosts for the qualification round were
Phnom Penh Crown (Cambodia),
KRL (Pakistan), and
Istiqlol (Tajikistan). The draw for the group stage was held at the AFC house in
Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia on 6 March 2012, 15:00
UTC+08:00.
Group A • Matches played in
Pakistan (host club:
KRL). • Times listed are
UTC+05:00. ---- ----
Group B • Matches played in
Cambodia (host club:
Phnom Penh Crown). • Times listed are
UTC+07:00. ---- ----
Group C • Matches played in
Tajikistan (host club:
Istiqlol). • Times listed are
UTC+05:00. ---- ---- ==Final stage==