With 14 AFC Asian Cup goals - second only to Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei in the all-time list - Korea Republic icon Lee knows a thing or two about success at the continent's most prestigious tournament.

And, while he does believe that it could be Korea Republic's time to end their 58-year Asian Cup title drought at UAE 2019, it is another nation that also intrigues the 39-year-old veteran.

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The former Norway international striker has since been replaced by Kim Yong-jun, who will take the squad into the Finals, but Andersen is confident DPR Korea can progress to the knockout phase of the competition for the first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

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.

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.

The goalkeeper was just 18 years old when he was included in the India squad for the 2011 edition when the Blue Tigers were drawn alongside continental heavyweights Australia, Korea Republic and Bahrain.

And although Gurpreet got no game time as the South Asians ultimately lost all three of their matches, he looks back on the experience as a positive one that helped him progress in his career.

In his career so far, Schrock, 32, has played a part in several historic milestones for Filipino football.

From lining up in the Philippines side that achieved the 'Miracle of Hanoi' to secure a maiden AFF Cup semi-final place in 2010, to turning club side Ceres Negros into a force to be reckoned with in continental club football - winning the inaugural AFC Cup ASEAN Zone in 2017 and then defeating Brisbane Roar in Australia in the 2018 AFC Champions League play-offs.

The Central Asians will be making their first-ever appearance at the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates and China PR will be their first opponents in Group C, with Krestinin confident he can take his team into the last 16 on their debut.

While FIFA World Cup winner Lippi leads a squad who regularly play and train alongside some of the finest talent in the sport, Krestinin believes the number of foreign players in Chinese football may not necessarily be an advantage for the Italian coach’s team.