The Whites came very close to being crowned Asian champions last time they hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 1996, with only a penalty shootout denying them. Now, with a golden generation of players, they are dreaming of continental glory.

The UAE's plans do not stop with the continental showpiece in January, as UAE FA President His Excellency Marwan bin Ghalita explains the challenges that lie ahead for his federation in developing Emirati football.

Korea Republic, 55th in the latest FIFA rankings, will face 70th-ranked Panama at the Cheonan Stadium in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, as the two sides meet for the first time in their national team histories.

The friendly against Panama is Korea Republic's last home match of 2018. The Taeguk Warriors are scheduled to face Australia and Uzbekistan next month, but both matches will be in Brisbane, Australia.

AUSTRALIA 4-0 KUWAIT

Kuwait City: Graham Arnold’s reign as the new Australia head coach got off to a perfect start with the Socceroos defeating Kuwait 4-0 in a friendly on Monday.

The Socceroos scored twice in each half to cap an encouraging performance in their first hit-out since the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

An own goal gave the Socceroos a deserved lead, before Apostolos Giannou, Tom Rogic and Awer Mabil – on his international debut - all got on the scoresheet.

Four years after Korea Republic had pipped Japan to the bronze medal at the AFC Asian Cup 2007, beating them 6-5 on penalties in the third-place decider, the eternal rivals locked horns again.

This time, a place in the final was at stake. Doha, which had hosted the first-ever AFC Asian Cup encounter between the two sides back in 1988, was the venue once more.

Powered by J-League players Chanathip Songkrasin, Teerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda, Thailand added to the 1-0 win scored over Hong Kong on Thursday.

Against Trinidad, played in front of over 15,000 fans at the Suphanburi Stadium, retiring goalkeeper Sinthavee Chaiyathat Ratanakul featured for the first 15 minutes as he called time on his 14-year international career before being replaced by Chatchai Bootprom.

After a goalless first half, Thitiphan Puangjan struck the winner for Thailand in the 66th minute.

Thailand will play in Group A at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE with hosts the United Arab Emirates, India and Bahrain for company in the January 5-February 1 extravaganza.

Photo: Football Association of Thailand

The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Executive Committee approved the recommendation to align the AFC’s national teams competitions with the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game (LOTG) announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The entire Continent is eagerly awaiting Asia’s most prestigious tournament and it is, therefore, essential that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 adopts the latest regulations as we strive to stage a truly unforgettable spectacle.

“I am confident the new regulations will add to the excitement of Asia’s flagship national team competition and further strengthen the AFC’s ambitions to be the world’s leading Confederation.”

Narrow failures they may have been on the road to Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, but they were still significant achievements for a small nation numbering just over a million inhabitants.

Indeed, had Bahrain qualified for the 2006 edition, they would have been the smallest nation at that time to feature at a World Cup. Instead that achievement went the way of their opponents – the Dwight Yorke-inspired Trinidad and Tobago. And that feat, of course, was famously eclipsed by Iceland this year in Russia.

Four years after Bahrain's initial heartbreak came even more anguish as they missed a penalty that would have taken them to the World Cup at New Zealand’s expense. New Zealand, of course subsequently competed at South Africa 2010 with distinction, completing the group stage undefeated.