In order to seed the seven best elite round group winners for the final tournament draw, the eight group winners are ranked on the basis of their results in the elite round. The following criteria are applied in the order given:
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higher number of points;
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superior goal difference;
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higher number of goals scored;
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lower disciplinary points total based only on yellow and red cards received by players and team officials in the elite round (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
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higher position in the qualifying round coefficient rankings.