Andersen was at the helm of the team as they secured their berth at the Finals with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong in Pyongyang in March before standing down to eventually join K League side Incheon United.

The former Norway international striker has since been replaced by Kim Yong-jun, who will take the squad into the Finals, but Andersen is confident DPR Korea can progress to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1980 as one of the qualifiers from Group E.

Saudi Arabia's last of three titles was won when the UAE hosted the 1996 edition and Juan Antonio Pizzi's squad are aiming to repeat history.

Drawn in Group E, Saudi Arabia will open their campaign DPR Korea on January 8 before playing Lebanon on January 12 and Qatar five days later.

Almoez Ali gave Qatar the lead in the 31st minute and substitute Ahmad Abdelmutaal added the second in second half added time in a match which was played behind closed doors.

Qatar have been enjoying a rich vein of form in their buildup to the AFC Asian Cup, having defeated - among others - Switzerland, Ecuador and China PR in friendlies.

Qatar, who are in Group E, will face Lebanon on January 9 in their opening AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 match. They will then face DPR Korea on January 13 before concluding their group stage campaign against three-time champions Saudi Arabia four days later.

Monzer, a midfielder, plays for Al-Ahed while goalkeeper features for Tadamon Sour.

Lebanon, drawn in Group E, will face Saudi Arabia, DPR Korea and Qatar in their bid to advance to the knockout stage.

It will be be their second appearance in the Continental showpiece, with their previous involvement on home soil in 2000.

The final squad of 23 has to be named by December 26.

Palestine will be playing at this level for only the second time and a January 6 clash in Sharjah against the Syrians could prove decisive for qualification to the knockout stage from a group which also includes reigning champions Australia and Jordan.

“The first game in a tournament is always the most difficult,” Ali told the-AFC.com in an exclusive interview.

“When you start a tournament, you are looking for rhythm. The rhythm in training or during a preparatory match is not the same as the rhythm you are supposed to have in a proper match situation,” Ali added.

Iran’s solid tactical performance was on full display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia as they come within inches of advancing into the Round of 16 for the first time.

Team Melli had a dream start against Morocco when they picked up their first win in the FIFA World Cup since a 3-1 victory over the United States in 1998.

Now in his second spell at the helm, Arnold will oversee his country’s challenge at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 hoping to surpass the quarter-final showing in South East Asia and build on his own success as a coach in the ensuing dozen years.

““It feels great,” he told the-AFC.com of his return to the competition. “In 2007 I was the interim coach and I probably didn’t deserve to be in that job and that role at that time, but I have gone away and worked hard in club land and I feel that I deserve the role this time. So, I am really looking forward to the challenges ahead.

“It was our first time in Asia and it was our first time in a major tournament in Asia, so we learnt a lot from it. We learnt that you need to prepare properly, that there are no easy games, that you need to be mentally switched on for every game, and that you need to adapt to the conditions to the style of game that you play.”