Against all odds, and with a difficult security situation at home, Yemen made it to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 relying largely on a crop of Qatar-based players. The most talented and experienced among them is Al Sailiya midfielder Al Sasi, who has over a decade of international experience behind him.

Nationality: Yemen
Date of birth: 02/07/1987
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Al Sailiya (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Al Ahli Sana’a, Al Hilal (Yemen), Al Minaa (Iraq)

Odiljon Xamrobekov, who is tipped to shine, made the cut but players such as Dilshod Rakhmatullaev and Ivan Nagaev, who suffered an injury during training, missed out.

Marat Bikmaev and Sardor Rashidov will lead the charge for goals as Cuper selected only two out and out forwards.

The 28-year-old forward has a key role to play in the team and is aware of his responsibilities as Kyrgyz football fans warm up to the game of football, which didn’t enjoy much traction in the country until a few years ago.

Kyrgyz Republic became independent after the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 and played their first international match in history against Uzbekistan a year later, losing 3-0.

They did not qualify for the AFC Asian Cup in five previous attempts, eventually breaking the jinx this time and raising expectations in his country.

The teams are preparing for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and the matches allowed the coaches of all the sides to have an in depth look at their respective squads before the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 5.

---

VIETNAM 1-1 DPR KOREA

Vietnam, fresh from winning the 2018 AFF Championship, took the lead in the 54th minute through Nguyen Tien Linh.

DPR Korea, however, fought back to equalise through Jong Il-Gwan in the 81st minute.

Asia’s record five representatives at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia maintained their stronghold to stay within the top five with Iran retaining their season’s best in 29th place. Team Melli, whose last of three AFC Asian Cup triumphs was in 1976, are in Group D with Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen.

Despite falling five places from June this year, defending champions Australia, who are in Group B alongside Jordan, Syria and Palestine, find themselves in 41st position and will land in the UAE as Asia’s second ranked team.

With just 11 days to go before the Continental showpiece kicks off, Pizzi said the players selected are the best to carry Saudi Arabia's challenge in UAE 2019.

"We have been watching and evaluating the performance of each player with his club and we examined all possibilities as to what they can provide to the team.

"We also took into consideration whether they participated in previous training camps and know the way the technical staff work," said Pizzi to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation website.

Andersen was at the helm of the team as they secured their berth at the Finals with a 2-0 victory over Hong Kong in Pyongyang in March before standing down to eventually join K League side Incheon United.

The former Norway international striker has since been replaced by Kim Yong-jun, who will take the squad into the Finals, but Andersen is confident DPR Korea can progress to the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1980 as one of the qualifiers from Group E.