The achievement came just four months after Bahrain clinched the West Asian Football Federation Championship (WAFF) as head coach Helio Sousa, who took charge of the team in March 2019, made an immediate impact on the squad.

the-AFC.com spoke to the 50-year-old Portuguese about his experience with Bahrain, their recent achievements and the future of Bahraini football.

The 57-year-old coach took charge of the UAE national team in late December, replacing Bert van Marwijk who was sacked after a disappointing performance by UAE in the 2019 Gulf Cup.

When Japan defeated China PR to be crowned continental champions in 2004, that was the first AFC Asian Cup final not to feature Saudi Arabia for 24 years. This incredible stat is perhaps the best testament to how dominant the Green Falcons had been in the last part of the 20th century.

Alexander Geynrikh was the player who dazzled in their Germany 2006 campaign, striking four times as his side stormed all the way through to the Asian play-off - only to lose out, heartbreakingly, to Bahrain on away goals. Then national legend Maksim Shatskikh rose to the occasion on the road to South Africa 2010, racking up eight goals to fire his side to the final qualifying round.

The Central Asians also came close in the Brazil 2014 preliminaries being edged out by Korea Republic on goal difference and, on that occasion, captain Server Djeparov led by example with outstanding performances that included four goals.

Qatar’s achievements were the result of hard work and long-term planning, which finally paid dividends last year. This unprecedented success came as no surprise, given the excellent performances at both team and individual level. Indeed, Qatari stars claimed the individual awards at last year’s AFC Asian Cup, and their rising star, Akram Afif, was named AFC Player of the Year.

The Melbourne-born midfielder had the privilege of running out in all three of the Green and Gold’s matches at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, as a substitute, and they are memories he cherishes.