The highly acclaimed Scheme continues to recognise efforts by MAs to develop a strong and sustainable foundation for youth football in their country.

QFA has been successful in the transition of its youth players to the senior team and was duly rewarded when AFC Player of the Year 2019 Akram Afif and Almoez Ali helped Qatar lift the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 for the first-time.

KFA’s success in AFC and FIFA youth competitions, most recently their gallant runner-up finish at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019, underlines their commitment towards building and improving their foundation for youth football.

The panel - which is overseen by the AFC Technical Committee and AFC General Secretary - is tasked with supporting the promotion and development of Elite Youth Football in Asia as well as designing and implementing the AFC Youth Academy Endorsement Scheme.

Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said in his opening remarks: "We would like to congratulate Asako Takakura for winning the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 title with Japan as well as the members of this panel for the hard work they have put in for the development of the game."

Takakura was presented with a special memento to commemorate her accomplishment - her second AFC Women's Asian Cup title with the Nadeshiko.

Malaysia, who had to battle their way through the first round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, had a steady momentum in the second round as the Southeast Asians recorded three wins after five games.

That took them to just two points shy of Group G leaders Vietnam but the Qualifiers were then postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) launched a feeding the poor programme while the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) is working closely with its Ministry of Health to provide accommodation to those returning to the country and are required to be quarantined.

Meanwhile the UAE Pro League has started a 10-day football skill challenge where they will donate money to the Fund of the United Arab Emirates - Homeland of Humanity - for every football skill video uploaded on Instagram.

The Kara-Balta-born, Germany-based striker carried the Kyrgyz Republic national team on his shoulders on January 16, 2019, bagging the side’s first ever international hat-trick to help them to a crucial 3-1 win over the Philippines, which ultimately sealed their progression to the Round of 16.

Speaking to the-AFC.com, Lux reflected on the day which defined his international career; and one which made him a national hero.