However, it was not until the Qualifiers for Russia 2018 that they were strongly fancied to achieve that goal, thanks to their solid performance between 2013 to 2017 and a new generation of players that reflected the improved quality of UAE football.

With high stakes fixtures on the agenda all over the Continent, the-AFC.com scrutinises some of the key facts and figures ahead of the 32-match extravaganza to come.

With only the eight group winners and four best runners-up advancing to the final round of Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, there will be no room for slip-ups.

The same applies for the final stage of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with the 12 next best-placed teams advancing to the third round. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the eight groups stand.

After a goalless draw with Vietnam on Matchday One, Thailand bounced back with victories over Indonesia and United Arab Emirates and up next for the Group G leaders are regional rivals Malaysia.

The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 winners are unbeaten so far in Group E and lead the standings with 10 points, ahead of second-placed Oman, who are four points adrift.

Qatar began their campaign with a 6-0 win over Afghanistan and were held to a goalless draw by India before posting wins against Bangladesh (2-0) and Oman (2-1).

After all, the visitors boasted a dominant record having won four and drawn one in the two sides' past six World Cup qualifying meetings.

The game, however, ended in a surprise 2-1 scoreline in Thailand's favour. Rising to the occasion was an unsung hero, 20-year-old Ekanit Panya who played in only his third international appearance.

The young attacker set up Teerasil Dangda for the opener before latching on to Nitipong Selanon's pass to strike the match-winner as the War Elephants stunned the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 semi-finalists.

Uzbekistan 3-1 Kyrgyz Republic

Both sides used the match to prepare for key Asian Qualifiers in the week ahead, with Uzbekistan to host Saudi Arabia on Thursday, while Kyrgyz Republic are set to face Japan in Bishkek.

Pakhtakor duo Igor Sergeev and Dostonbek Khamdanov made the most of their familiar surrounds to find the back of the net before Jamshid Iskanderov slotted an excellent third for Uzbekistan, with Farkhat Musabkeov getting his name on the scoresheet for the visitors, who remain winless in eight attempts against their neighbours.