The former Slovenia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq boss fills the vacancy created by the departure of Vadim Abramov, under whom the White Wolves failed to reach the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar.

The deal, which runs until 2025, will see Katanec guide Uzbekistan in their bid to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, as well as the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Over the past three weeks we have seen the goalkeeper, the rearguard and the midfield maestros decided, it's time to turn our attention to the forwards and find out who you consider the top targetmen.

So, here are the 10 players in contention for the places at the business end of the field. Review the candidates and then select your favourite for this all-star XI in the poll below.

The-AFC.com previews the sides still standing as the pick of the continent’s national teams vie for a place in Qatar next year.

While some teams come into the final stage of the Qualifiers with a history of reaching multiple World Cups, Oman are only at this stage for the third time in their history after 2002 and 2014.

Through this series of articles, the-AFC.com analyses each of the 12 sides ready to take the next step in the journey towards the global showpiece.

For Syria, this is a dream they have came so close to achieving in the past, but without success so far. Can this be the year the Qasioun Eagles finally make it?

The Chinese have not appeared at the FIFA World Cup since securing their one and only spot at the Finals, in 2002, but, after being drawn in a challenging Group B, coach Li Tie will be hoping to overcome the odds to end the country’s two decade hoodoo.

The-AFC.com looks at each of the teams still standing in a journey that started two years ago and was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic which delayed the proceedings by a year.

Group A will provide Iraq with the latest challenge as they pursue a return to the FIFA World Cup for the second time after Mexico 1986.

As the third round of the Asian Qualifiers gets underway in a few days’ time, the-AFC.com profiles each of the 12 teams in the two groups in terms of history and key players.

Giants of Asian football on all levels, Saudi Arabia returned to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 after an absence of 12 years and will be hoping to make it back-to-back appearances for the first time since qualifying for 2002 and 2006.