The West Asians announced their final squad of 23 for the Continental showpiece which kicks off in 10 days with Al-Taamari, who plays for APOEL, leading a well experienced squad.

Odiljon Xamrobekov, who is tipped to shine, made the cut but players such as Dilshod Rakhmatullaev and Ivan Nagaev, who suffered an injury during training, missed out.

Marat Bikmaev and Sardor Rashidov will lead the charge for goals as Cuper selected only two out and out forwards.

The 28-year-old forward has a key role to play in the team and is aware of his responsibilities as Kyrgyz football fans warm up to the game of football, which didn’t enjoy much traction in the country until a few years ago.

Kyrgyz Republic became independent after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and played their first international match in history against Uzbekistan a year later, losing 3-0.

They did not qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in five previous attempts, eventually breaking the jinx this time and raising expectations in his country.

The teams are preparing for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and the matches allowed the coaches of all the sides to have an in depth look at their respective squads before the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 5.

VIETNAM 1-1 DPR KOREA

Vietnam, fresh from winning the 2018 AFF Championship, took the lead in the 54th minute through Nguyen Tien Linh.

DPR Korea, however, fought back to equalise through Jong Il-Gwan in the 81st minute.

Asia’s record five representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia maintained their stronghold to stay within the top five with Iran retaining their season’s best in 29th place. Team Melli, whose last of three AFC Asian Cup triumphs was in 1976, are in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen.

Despite falling five places from June this year, defending champions Australia, who are in Group B alongside Jordan, Syria and Palestine, find themselves in 41st position and will land in the UAE as Asia’s second ranked team.

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The former Norway international striker has since been replaced by Kim Yong-jun, who will take the squad into the Finals, but Andersen is confident DPR Korea can progress to the knockout phase of the competition for the first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

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.