However, with the tournament hosted by neighbours UAE and expanded to include a Round of 16, there are high hopes for Oman to make history, especially after their 2017 Gulf Cup triumph.

One of the Reds' brightest hopes in the attacking third is winger Jameel Al Yahmadi. The youngster was drafted into the first team in 2017 and grew into one of the nation's best attacking players.

Nationality: Oman
Date of birth: 27/07/1996
Position: Midfielder
Current club: Al Wakrah (Qatar)
Previous clubs: Al Shabab (Oman)

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.”

The Englishman, who has been in charge of the Indian side since January 2015, will be going head-to-head with Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac for the first time in almost a decade, with the experienced Serb having come out ahead the last time they met.

“He is a very good coach and has great experience, I faced him a few years ago when he was in Ghana and I was with Sudan, he won that game 2-0 so I’m looking to even up the score,” Constantine told the-AFC.com.

“But I would like to remind you that he had Michael Essien, Mathew Amoa and a few other very good players.

Four years ago in Australia, Massimo Luongo was the pick of the bunch as the Socceroo was voted the MVP, while a 20-year-old Sardar Azmoun was twice on the scoresheet for the Islamic Republic of Iran. As the 2019 edition rapidly approaches, here’s a list of 10 more youngsters to keep an eye out for.

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Ould Ali, now eight months into his tenure as head coach, will guide Palestine in their second appearance in the competition following their 2015 debut on the continental stage in Australia.

Speaking to the-AFC.com, the Algerian tactician revealed the desire of his players to provide happiness for Palestinians around the world with their performances in the United Arab Emirates.

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.