The talented 18-year-old midfielder followed up a consummate performance from Matchday One with yet another fine assist and two well-taken goals to help his side record their second successive victory and put them within touching distance of the next phase.

Having underlined their place at the top of the Group A table, the UAE could go through if host nation Indonesia beat Qatar in the day’s later game, but will definitely guarantee their progress should they get a point from their clash with the Indonesians on Wednesday.

The Japanese were forced to dig deep by their regional rivals as they survived a stirring first half revival to eventually run out 5-2 winners in the Group B clash at the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor.

The result saw Japan assume pole position in Group B, although as their clash with third-placed Thailand looms large on the horizon, Kageyama is adamant that his side can ill afford to bask in the glow of their early success.

The Southeast Asian side came into the competition targeting one of four berths at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, but squandered an early lead before falling to a 2-1 defeat courtesy of Mohammed Al Zubi's 89th minute goal in their opening match.

Knowing his side will be staring down the barrel of elimination with another defeat, the Vietnamese boss said it was time to move on.

"After losing a game late, the psychology can be a problem," he acknowledged. "But we know that this is possible in football. You can win, you draw or you can lose, but we must make our players understand that they need to look forward.

Despite missing a first half penalty, the Al Shabab ace shone brightly against Saudi Arabia’s Southeast Asian opponents, scoring a well-taken opener and being an influential figure throughout the victory which saw the Young Green Falcons fly to the top of the Group D standings.

With the dust settling on his Player of the Match display, Al Ammar was however quick to praise his side’s united approach while promising that he is determined to improve even further in order to help Saudi Arabia’s cause both now and in the future.

The talented 19-year-old’s fearsome drive from fully 30 yards was just one of the highlights as his side beat regional rivals DPR Korea 5-2 to begin the defence of their AFC U-19 Championship crown in some style on Thursday.

The victory took head coach Masanaga Kageyama’s charges to the top of the Group B standings and provided further evidence as to why Ito is held in such high regard by both club and country.

With a second group stage game to come against Thailand on Monday, Ito was however quick to dismiss any sense of personal glory, insisting instead that only one thing mattered – Japan retaining their title.

 

The Croatian head coach was pleased with Harimau Muda's effort in their opening Group D clash, as the Southeast Asians ensured it wasn't only the humid conditions that made the two-time champions sweat.

"We are here as underdogs, playing against Saudi Arabia who are one of Asia's power teams and nobody expects too much, but we gave them a tough time," the former Johor Darul Ta'zim and Kelantan boss explained.

"I told the boys I am proud that they fought for all 90 minutes. I think that they were playing near maximum.

"Overall, I am not disappointed, I am proud. Of course, there are mistakes. There are always mistakes and if there weren't you'd win every game, but we are not at that level yet."

The Southeast Asians were made to dig deep against a side making its first appearance at the tournament for 44 years, with goals from Witan Sulaeman – his second of the game – and Egy Maulana Vikri eventually ensuring a 3-1 win for the hosts despite Chinese Taipei drawing level at one point.

“It was a great victory and I want to thank my players for their endless effort until the very last minute,” declared Sjafri.

“Our opponents played with a compact defence which certainly caused us some issues in the first half, but thanks to a change in tactics after the break we managed to reduce the pressure on ourselves somewhat by attacking more from the flanks.