Islamic Republic of Iran went into the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the second-highest ranked Asian nation, behind Australia. And unlike the Socceroos, Team Melli ended the campaign with a far enhanced reputation.

Managerial stability, with Carlos Queiroz entering his eighth year at the helm, was rewarded with a solid tactical performance in Russia as IR Iran came to within inches of advancing to the round of 16 despite being drawn into the proverbial “Group of Death” alongside the last two European champions, Spain and Portugal in addition to Morocco.

Our five-man panel had shared their pre-tournament thoughts on their countries’ chances and how they saw things potentially playing out. Now they reflect on those performances and look ahead to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The Panel members are Sebastian Hasset from Australia, Pejman Rahbar from IR Iran, Etsuko Motokawa from Japan, Seo Ho-jung from Korea Republic and Atef Nahass from Saudi Arabia.

Asia's champions will have been disappointed with their showing at Russia 2018, with just one point from the three Group Stage ties and no goals scored from open play.

There were many who felt the Socceroos would be among the continent's favourites to progress to the knockout stage under coach Bert van Marwijk, but it proved to be a challenge too far. 

With a new man at the helm coming in for the build-up to AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, there will be much work needed to ensure they can successfully defend their title.

Saudi Arabia’s return to the global stage was an eagerly anticipated one after 12 years away from the lights. An opening day date with the hosts Russia only added to the excitement about the Green Falcons’ campaign.

Three matches and three points later, Saudi could not replicate their 1994 achievement of reaching the second round, but there were plenty of positives to ponder as they prepare for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in neighbouring UAE.

So, what better time than now to kick off a new season of the-AFC.com’s Asian Football Trivia segment - our weekly question-based series that allows you, the fans, to send us your questions on anything and everything related to Asian football?

Week one begins with three tricky in-house questions, and we invite you to follow suit and send us your queries via the AFC’s social media platforms in the coming days and weeks.

Some 4,500 people packed out the stadium's fan zone as it showed France beating Belgium 1-0 in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final in Russia, knowing that the clock is ticking for Qatar's World Cup in 2022.

Going into the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Omar Abdulrahman was the UAE’s most recognisable face, and he boosted his reputation as one of Asia’s finest players with a string of top performances Down Under, but arguably the biggest winner from the team’s run to the semi-finals was the then 25-year-old Mabkhout.