AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam is confident Qatar will be named the hosts of the 2011 Asian Cup, but warned the bidding process could be re-opened should the Middle Eastern country fail to meet the specified criteria.
India and Iran were the only other two countries to express an interest in staging the event, but the Indians pulled out of the bidding race while Iran have yet to submit a formal bid.
No other country has entered the fray, but Bin Hammam stressed the selection process could be thrown open again if the Executive Committee deem Qatar's bid to be unsuitable.
Speaking in Bangkok on the eve of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Bin Hammam said: "If the Executive Committee is not happy with Qatar's bid on July 29 then we will throw it open again, but so far we are happy.
"If the Executive Committee is not happy with the presentation that Qatar should be hosts, or if the Executive Committee has doubts or are not happy with Qatar's bid, then we will have no alternative but to open up to other countries to bid.
"I do believe that Qatar will pass on July 29."
No other country has entered the fray, but Bin Hammam stressed the selection process could be thrown open again if the Executive Committee deem Qatar's bid to be unsuitable.
Speaking in Bangkok on the eve of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, Bin Hammam said: "If the Executive Committee is not happy with Qatar's bid on July 29 then we will throw it open again, but so far we are happy.
"If the Executive Committee is not happy with the presentation that Qatar should be hosts, or if the Executive Committee has doubts or are not happy with Qatar's bid, then we will have no alternative but to open up to other countries to bid.
"I do believe that Qatar will pass on July 29."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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