With matches against Australia and competition heavyweights Iraq also looming large, the Japanese tactician is therefore adamant that his charges must concentrate on doing what they do best if they are to stand any chance of advancing.

A total of 16 teams will look to succeed Uzbekistan following their 2-1 triumph over Vietnam two years ago and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC President, has sent his best wishes to the Continent’s future stars.

Shahad was at the helm as the Iraqis booked their place in Rio de Janeiro with a third place finish in the 2016 edition of the competition and he is setting his sights on a similar outcome ahead of his team’s Group A opener against Australia.

Ahead of Wednesday’s opening matches, when Iraq face Australia and Thailand take on Bahrain, join the-AFC.com as we begin our detailed look at the teams vying for Continental glory across four venues in Thailand.

The top two sides in Group A will qualify for the quarter-finals, while the tournament’s top three finishers will earn places at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The quartet will go into the campaign on the back of a strong 2019 and, in what is likely to be a closely contested group, their countries' hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 could rest upon their form in front of goal in Southeast Asia.

While each match-up between some of the best young talents in Asia is set to be well worth watching, we have highlighted five ties among the 24 group stage fixtures that are of particular interest.

Japan, as hosts, have already sealed their berth and the 15 other teams will be looking to join them in Tokyo 2020.

With the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 kicking off in just a day, the-AFC.com takes a look at Asia's Olympic journey over the years.