The west Asian nation will be making their fourth appearance at the continental championship, but the veteran Dutchman knows that his team’s success in last year’s hotly-contested regional tournament can help take his team to the next level in the UAE in January.

“It gives confidence to the players, to the selection, not only the first XI but all the players, that we can beat teams, good teams,” Verbeek told the-AFC.com of the impact of his side’s Gulf Cup triumph. “We’re back at the front in the Gulf and now the next step is to do that at the Asian level.”

Moriyasu selected several players with only a handful of caps to their names for Asia's showcase football tournament in the United Arab Emirates starting in January.

On paper, a 4-0 defeat against Korea Republic and a goalless draw with Lebanon last month in Australia does not look the best preparation for Uzbekistan's AFC Asian Cup next campaign.

However, coach Cuper insists there are still positives to be taken from the training camp and remains convinced the Central Asians have what it takes to challenge the best the continent has to offer.

The bid to qualify for the biggest and best AFC Asian Cup - which will have an expanded 24 sides vying for glory - saw 46 teams in the fray, beginning with 12 countries in the first round of the Qualifiers back in March 2015.

Six teams then progressed to the second round, and by March of the following year, 12 teams - Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Qatar, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Syria, Thailand, Iraq, Korea Republic and Uzbekistan - had confirmed qualification to UAE 2019 and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

As the Continent’s most-anticipated showpiece draws closer, the three debutants are leaving nothing to chance in their quests to confirm their deserving place amongst Asia’s elite.

Philippines extended their outstanding form beyond their Qualifiers, impressing with a six-match unbeaten run since March, which included commendable draws against Bahrain, Oman and Thailand before their narrow defeat to Vietnam in the AFF Cup semi-finals last week.

With just 40 days to go before the Continental showpiece kicks off with hosts United Arab Emirates taking on Bahrain in the tournament opener, the-AFC.com takes a look at the 24 tacticians who will lead the Continent’s best in the biggest and best ever AFC Asian Cup.

There will be new faces in charge as several teams, including three of the five Asian teams who featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, will have new head coaches.

We take a look at the head coaches of Groups A, B and C.

There will be a mix of new and old as several head coaches have been with their teams for years while some will be leading their sides into a major competition for the first time.

We take a look at the head coaches of Groups D, E and F.