Word is a third country may have also submitted a bid, which will only be known probably tomorrow but the task only now begins as AFC has to convince 33 of its 46 affiliates to sanction the move away from Kuala Lumpur, the report said.

There is little doubt that the two bidding countries will meet the AFC’s "minimum" criteria, which among others include a 30,000 square-metre plot of land for free, interest fee loan, tax exemptions, free use of stadia and diplomatic status for key confederation officials.

The FA of Malaysia was adamant that it would not bid but it will be interesting to know whether the national body is, as suggested by former AFC general secretary Datuk Peter Velappan, going to lead the resistance movement.

Already, there is growing resistance and AFC affiliates are suggesting that the 11-member Asean Football Federation (AFF) lead the fight.

The problem though is that at least one AFF member is said to be supporting the move.

But with Asian powerhouses like Japan, South Korea and China also echoing FAM’s call to abandon the relocation idea, AFC president Mohamed Hammam may find it impossible to get his way.

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Bhutan and Mongolia have also voiced their objection while the South Asian Football Federation, which has eight members, said it will also register its objection with AFC.

All this points to a heated AFC exco meeting in Shanghai on 24 November.