The event, which took place at the UAE Football Association Headquarters in Dubai, began with a panel discussion focused on sport leadership followed by a friendly match that enabled women to play with, and against, members of the UAE women’s national teams.

The panel was made up of Sara Ali Al Sayegh, Director of Marketing and Communications at Dubai Sports Council, Anita Mehra, Executive Vice President of Communication and Reputation at Dubai Airports, Professor Kamilla Swart, Master in Sport Management Programme Director at American University in the Emirates, and Reeva Bains, a Sports Marketing consultant.

The friendlies are part of Bahrain's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, where the West Asians will have the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and india for company in Group A.

Saeed and Baqer play for Al Nasr in Kuwait. The rest of the squad consists players who feature domestically.

Bahrain, whose best finish in the AFC Asian Cup was emerging fourth in the 2004 edition, will be making their sixth appearance in the Continental showpiece.

They will be seeking to better their 2015 showing, having exited the tournament at the group stage. Soukup's team will take on hosts UAE in the opening match on January 5.

The Iran squad, led by head coach Carlos Queiroz, will be based at the Aspire Academy in Doha on December 10-January 2.

Three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Iran are seeking a first title since 1976, having not advanced past the quarter-final stage for the last three editions of the Continental showpiece.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said Asan Mugunghwa midfielder Ju Se-jong will replace Jung for the matches in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

Jung, who has two goals in 37 appearances for the Taeguk Warriors, has been one of the core central midfielders for Korea Republic since Paulo Bento took the helm as head coach in August.

The 28-year-old, who is with Qatari side Al Sadd, has featured in the last four friendly matches under Bento.

In total, 27 players will convene in Brisbane from Monday onward, with Arnold having rewarded the strong A-League form of Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Craig Goodwin (Adelaide United), and Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets) with places as train-on players for the November window as he continues to cast his eyes over as many players as possible ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

The second 23-player list for the Socceroos’ international friendly against Lebanon will include Jamshedpur FC attacker Tim Cahill, who will make his 108th and final appearance for Australia in a farewell match against the Cedars at the ANZ Stadium on November 20.

Lee's impressive career, that keeps recording new milestones for goals and longevity, can be considered to have truly begun on the biggest stage at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup in Lebanon.

The prodigiously talented young forward had already shown his ability at the 1998 AFC U-19 Championship, where he was named Top Scorer and MVP, and had also helped Pohang Steelers win the 1997-1998 Asian Club Championship.

But it was in the AFC's most prestigious national team tournament that the then 21-year-old made his mark in.

Asian football fans will get the chance to take a glimpse at how their favourite teams are shaping up ahead of the big date in the UAE in January. With the bulk of the 24 sides contesting the continental title in action this month, we look at five exciting things to watch for during the coming international break.