We kick off by recalling the epic FIFA World Cup France 1998 qualifying playoff between Japan and Islamic Republic of Iran, which sent the Samurai Blue to the Finals for the first time in their history.

The 50-year-old Belgian coach took over the reins from Carlos Queiroz early in June, and enjoyed a good start to his tenure as Iran beat Syria 5-0 in an international friendly, before playing to a 1-1 draw against Korea Republic less than a week later.

Tasked with ensuring Team Melli make their sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup, Wilmots is confident his side can rise up to the challenge en route to Qatar 2022, praising numerous his players with Persepolis’ goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and youngsters Younes Delfi and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh coming in for special mention.

Kubo, the highly-rated superstar-in-waiting, had already played his last game for the Gasmen – a 3-1 win over Oita Trinita on June 1 – before inking a five-year deal with the Spanish giants and making his senior debut for the Japan national team at the Copa America in Brazil. It had been an eventful month for a player who only turned 18 on June 4.

That date, though, was significant as it meant Kubo was free to sign a deal that would take him back to Europe after a four-year absence, having returned to Japan in March 2015 following his release from FC Barcelona.

The seedings for the draw will be based on the latest FIFA Rankings issued on June 14, 2019 and following the conclusion of the Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 1 where Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Malaysia and Mongolia - advanced to Round 2.

The decision on the outcome of the match between Macau and Sri Lanka is still pending.

Sousa, who replaced Miroslav Soukup, will get to know his players during a local training camp.

He will then take the squad for a training camp in his native Portugal as Bahrain prepare for the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar and the 2023 AFC Asian Cup China.

The East Asians saw off a strong challenge from Brunei, who had drawn level 2-2 on aggregate by the end of the first half at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium.

Mongolian captain Norjmoo Tsedenbal, however, had the final say as he struck a penalty two minutes into the second half to ensure his team advanced to the second round for the first time in their history.

Although Bangladesh were held 0-0 at home in the return leg, the 1-0 win recorded in last week's first leg in Vientiane was enough to take Jamie Day's side through to the second round of the Asian Qualifiers.