Zico, Kazuyoshi Miura, Ruy Ramos and Marcus Tulio Tanaka are names that readily spring to mind when considering the footballing connections between Japan and Brazil, but Kano can be added to the list.

The 43-year-old is the head coach of an U-16 women’s national team which stands 90 minutes of football away from a Continental title, with a place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup India 2020 already secured.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s tournament decider against DPR Korea, Kano told the-AFC.com about the impact of his time in Brazil, as well as his approach to guiding the next generation of Japanese stars.

Hwang’s charges have been outstanding in Chonburi, piling up 20 unanswered goals in four successive wins on their way to the final, and becoming the first side other than hosts India to seal their place at the global showpiece.

But while Hwang is pleased to have conquered their first goal, particularly given the hot conditions they battled with in their 3-0 semi-final win over Australia, the 35-year-old boss says their main target remains up for grabs.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the players who could make a huge difference in the final.

Chan’s side saw their twin dreams of a maiden Continental title and a place at next year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India both come crashing down in Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Japan, ending a quest which began under former coach Wang Pan in Sri Lanka more than year ago.

As Japan, China PR, DPR Korea and Australia prepare for Wednesday’s semi-finals, the-AFC.com looks at six talented youngsters who have shone on the big stage in Chonburi.

More than 50 family members and friends of Junior Matildas' players have made the trip from Australia to Thailand, with the Nash contingent among the largest in the travelling party.

There are three generations of Nashes in Chonburi, with a fourth represented by a great-grandmother watching every kick of the ball from back home in Australia, as Rae Dower’s side chase a maiden Asian title.

But, as Jessika’s mother Katherine revealed, this is far from the first away day for the family, some of whom have racked up over 45,000 kilometres of football-related travel since the tournament’s first qualifying stage last September.

While World Cups, club titles and major individual awards would follow, many of Asia’s women’s football icons began their careers on the same stage which greets a new generation of players in Chonburi in the AFC U-16 Women's Championship Thailand 2019.

As the Continent waits to see which promising youngsters will emerge in Thailand, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship's graduates.