The tournament hosts will need to navigate a group featuring Vietnam, Tajikistan and tournament debutants Oman if they are to advance to the knockout stage on home court in Ashgabat after all four sides were drawn in Group A at Ashgabat’s Olympia Hotel.

Grdovic, a former Croatian international who has led Turkmenistan’s national team since March, isn’t expecting any easy matches in the Continental Finals, but believes his side will arrive ready to compete strongly.

With four intriguing groups confirmed in Friday’s official draw, the-AFC.com picks out some key clashes to pencil into your viewing schedule for the opening week of the competition.

The ceremony separated the 16 qualified teams into four groups ahead of next year’s competition, where the best in Asian futsal will compete for the title of Continental champions.

Host nation Turkmenistan will begin the competition with what is sure to be a hotly anticipated clash against tournament debutants Oman on February 26, before rounding their Group A commitments with matches against Tajikistan and Vietnam. The final will be played on March 8.

Thailand entered the fray as favourites, having won the tournament in every appearance since 2001, while Indonesia, who narrowly beat Myanmar 4-3 in the semi-finals, were aiming for an upset, setting the stage for a thrilling match.

The match began on a competitive note as both sides were aiming for the final ticket to Turkmenistan 2020, but it was Tran Thai Huy who opened the scoring in the sixth minute, before doubling Vietnam's lead moments after the restart.

Korea Republic join China PR and Japan as the East Zone's representatives in Turkmenistan 2020 next February.

Mahdi Javid starred with a hat-trick, while Mahdi Karimi scored twice in an entertaining battle between two already-qualified teams, with nine of the 11 goals coming in an action-packed first half.