The central midfielder was in an upbeat mood as he spoke to the-AFC.com on Palestine’s chances in the Continental showpiece, saying they aim to create a flutter or two in the UAE.

“We are a highly motivated team who will spare no effort to show we belong in the Asian Cup. We are not playing in the tournament just to make up the numbers,” Basim said during an exclusive interview at his team hotel in Doha where Palestine are preparing for the event.

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.

Palestine, ranked 99th, are returning to the Finals after conceding 11 goals in three successive defeats in their debut on the Asian stage in Australia in 2015, but the experienced side will surely present a more determined challenge this time around

Buoyed by strong showings against some of the Continent's heavyweights since 2015, Jaber believes anyone expecting his side to be pushovers in the United Arab Emirates is in for a shock.

Ould Ali, now eight months into his tenure as head coach, will guide Palestine in their second appearance in the competition following their 2015 debut on the continental stage in Australia.

Speaking to the-AFC.com, the Algerian tactician revealed the desire of his players to provide happiness for Palestinians around the world with their performances in the United Arab Emirates.

A disappointing Gulf Cup performance saw head coach Ze Mario replaced with Nelo Vingada as expectations plummeted. Three weeks later, the trophy was heading back to Riyadh.

The mood was downbeat and the hopes low when Nelo Vingada led his team off the flight from Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in the days leading up to start of the 11th edition of the AFC Asian Cup.

The smallest of the four host cities, the name of Al Ain is familiar to football fans across the continent largely thanks to the team carrying its name. Al Ain is the UAE's most successful club, but there is more to this tranquile oasis on the UAE-Oman border than the 2003 AFC Champions League winners.

City: Al Ain
Population: 767,000
Local Clubs: Al Ain FC

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.