Berdimyrat Nurmyradov, the Technical Director of FFT, highlighted the importance of the course as Turkmenistan prepares to host the AFC Futsal Championship 2020 for the first time from February 26 to March 8.

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.

“I’m honoured to win this award and it is very special for me because it is the first time I’m winning this," said Yoshikawa.

"This is truly a result of all my hardwork and achievements this year.”

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.

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.

With the 16th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship set to be staged in Turkmenistan next February, the workshop provided updates for the benefit of the Directors and their respective Member Associations.

With less than a week to go before the tournament begins at the Bangkok Arena on August 7, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane as we look at the winners of the previous nine editions of the AFC Futsal Club Championship.