Two goals in the opening nine minutes cost Australia at the Estádio Olímpico in Goiânia, Brazil, despite a spirited response from Trevor Morgan’s boys in their Group B tie on Saturday.

Shaikh Salman said: “The AFC’s vision has underlined our desire to ensure our teams stand proud with the world’s best and our youth teams, both men and women, continue to show remarkable signs of progress in recent years.

“All four teams have worked incredibly hard in the AFC U-16 Championship and on behalf of the AFC and Asian football family, we wish them the very best of campaigns in Brazil.

“Some of the biggest names in Asian football have proven their calibre on this stage and I am confident that our players and teams will showcase once again the incredible talent that exists on our great Continent.”

The four, who qualified based on their finish in the AFC U-16 Championship 2018, will be aiming to emulate Saudi Arabia - the only team from Asia to have won the age-group tournament - and the-AFC.com tracks the challenges ahead.

Japan, who defeated Tajikistan to lift the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship title in Kuala Lumpur, will fancy their chances of advancing to the knockout stage in their ninth appearance in the Finals.

Tajikistan, meanwhile, were drawn in Group E with Spain, Argentina and Cameroon and the Central Asians - who will be making their second appearance in the Finals - will be eager to test themselves after their fabulous run in the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship.