Despite featuring in 16 previous editions of the competition, Indonesia’s one and only title success came as far back as 1961, and their last appearance four years ago failed to produce a single point.

Nevertheless, with passionate home support expected at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Sjafri believes a place in the last four is now not beyond his young charges.

“We are ready to do our very best and improve on what we did in 2014,” declared the 55-year-old whose side will also lock horns with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Exciting talent will surely emerge in Indonesia 2018 but the five have already started making heads turn and their teams will be counting on them to lead the charge not only for regional glory but also a spot in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

As the excitement builds, a total of 16 teams have assembled in the Southeast Asian nation’s capital, with reigning champions Japan looking to retain the title they claimed two years ago in Bahrain thanks to a tense penalty shootout win against Saudi Arabia.

The four highest ranked sides will also qualify for next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland.

Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, China PR and Malaysia will be bidding to advance to the knockout stage as they target Continental glory and a berth in the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, with the Championship offering four slots in Poland.

Korea Republic, champions a whopping 12 times, will face Vietnam, Australia and Jordan as the teams bid to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland.

Defending champions Japan will have to face Iraq, Thailand and DPR Korea in what promises to be a highly exciting and competitive Group B.

With the top four teams to qualify for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, the-AFC.com profiles the 16 qualified teams starting with Group A, headlined by host nation Indonesia.