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Defending champions Iraq, meanwhile, edged Yemen 1-0.

As preparations begin for the continental showpiece, which will also offer three tickets to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025, the-AFC.com presents the cast.

Joining the pair in Group A are United Arab Emirates and Qatar, while defending champions Iraq headline Group B, which also includes Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the opening match-ups, with the tournament set to run from December 21 to January 3.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups with the tournament to be played at the Jomtien Beach in Pattaya from March 20 to 30, 2025.

The exciting race in the Iraq Stars League continues so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

The action promises to be spectacular, with the draw throwing up some fascinating ties.

In Qatar, leaders Al Duhail SC were stunned by Al Khor while there were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

The win moves the Bahraini club onto 12 points from six games and means Ali Ashoor’s team clinch second place in the standings ahead of Iraq's Air Force SC and behind Al Taawoun FC from Saudi Arabia.

Mahdi Abduljabbar put the hosts in front in the 10th minute but it was not until the second half that Al Khaldiya opened up a convincing lead, with Bellatreche scoring with a pair of headers in the 47th and 54th minutes to seal the win. He then hit his third with a minute left.

The win sealed Al Taawoun’s place in the knockout stage, with their superior head-to-head record against Al Khaldiya confirming a top-two finish in Group B irrespective of next week’s results.

The result moved the Saudi Arabian side to 12 points, three ahead of Al Khaldiya and Iraq’s Air Force Club, but their superior head-to-head record with the Bahraini side means Al Taawoun are assured of a top two finish.

Al Duhail SC maintained their grip on the Qatar Stars League top spot with a 5-0 defeat of Al Arabi while Sharjah opened a two-point advantage in the UAE Pro League.