Ayash, who is expected to captain Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, arrived in Erbil on Thursday to sign the contract, which has an option for renewal.

Erbil are currently eighth in the Iraq Premier League standings after having played eight matches.

One of Thailand's most recognised names across the continent, Chanathip has impressed since his move to the J-League 18 months ago. The creative midfielder will be his country's main attacking outlet as they look to make an impression in January.

Nationality: Thailand Date of birth: 05/10/1993 Position: Midfielder Current club: Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo (Japan) Previous clubs: BEC Tero Sasana, Muangthong United (Both Thailand)

Japan’s AFC Asian Cup win on home soil in 1992 might have come as a surprise, but on hindsight it proved to be a precursor of a period of superiority whose roots lay in the advent of professionalism in the east Asian nation and a remarkable attention to detail.

Until the early 1990s the Samurai Blue had been a minor player at the AFC Asian Cup but, with the arrival of the J.League in 1993 and the dawn of an era that brought with it rapid development at all levels, Japanese football was on the rise.

Kuwait had signaled their status as one of the rising powers of Asian football in 1976 in reaching the final of the AFC Asian Cup on their debut appearance and, on home soil four years later, the Gulf state was to go one step further.

Once again the size of the competition increased, with 10 teams granted places at the Finals as Kuwait were joined by champions Iran as well as two-time champions Korea Republic, China PR, Bangladesh, Malaysia, DPR Korea, Qatar, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament was the first to feature multiple teams from West Asia and it was to kick-start a prolonged period of dominance by countries from the region.

After back-to-back runners-up finishes, persistence paid off as Israel added a new name to the AFC Asian Cup trophy as they claimed the title in front of their own fans when the country hosted the third edition of the continental championship.

As in the previous two tournaments, four nations played in the Finals with Korea Republic and Hong Kong featuring alongside the hosts and debutants India, who brought a strong track record with them into the competition.

The country had won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 1962 – their second in 11 years – but the pedigree counted for little as Israel defeated the South Asians 1-0 in the opening game thanks to a goal from Mordechai Spiegler.

But even in its earliest days, the prestige of claiming the continental crown brought with it fame, respect and a trip to the presidential palace. the-AFC.com retraces the AFC Asian Cup's journey through the years with the first of a four-part series.

Such is the talent of Bashar Resan, that the now Persepolis midfielder first represented the senior side at his hometown club Air Force Club seven years ago as a 14-year-old.

Resan’s career has already taken him to bigger places, most recently competing in the 2018 AFC Champions League final. Next challenge for the 21-year-old is making his AFC Asian Cup debut with Iraq in January, where he is set to be one of the key players in the Lions of Mesopotamia setup.

Nationality: Iraq Date of birth: 22/12/1996 Position: Midfielder Current club: Persepolis (IR Iran) Previous clubs: Air Force Club (Iraq)