The AFC preliminary round concluded on TUE 11 JUN 2019, and Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Malaysia, and Mongolia have advanced to the next round. The second leg between Sri Lanka and Macao was not played after Macao refused to travel to Sri Lanka over security concerns.

Guam reversed a 1-0 first leg deficit and defeated Bhutan 5-0 in their home leg, led by a hat trick from Jason CUNLIFFE. Bangladesh defeated Laos 1-0 on aggregate, as Mohammad RABIUL HASAN scored the only goal in the first leg.

Macao defeated Sri Lanka 1-0 at home in the first leg of their series. Citing security concerns, however, Macao refused to travel to Colombo for the second leg. In a statement, the AFC confirmed that it was referring the matter to FIFA.

The winning teams will join 34 other teams in the first group phase, due to begin in SEP 2019. Twelve teams advance from the first group phase; these teams will also earn an automatic place in the 2023 Men’s Asian Cup.

Series aggregate results:

• Mongolia 03-02 Brunei Darussalam
• Macao - Sri Lanka [Macao won first leg 1-0; second leg postponed]
• Laos 00-01 Bangladesh
• Malaysia 12-02 Timor-Leste
• Cambodia 04-01 Pakistan
• Guam 05-01 Bhutan