Despite their proud record of four previous titles, Thailand will play host for the first time in the tournament, which this year features nine women’s national teams competing for the title of Southeast Asian champions, with the final to be held on August 27.

With 20 matches ahead in two weeks of football, the-AFC.com previews the contenders and challengers in Chonburi.

The East Asians will face the world’s number one side in Charlotte and Chicago in October as part of the Americans’ five-match Victory Tour, celebrating the world title they won in Lyon last month.

The tour has been scheduled as part of Korea Republic’s run-in to December’s EAFF E-1 Championship in Busan, as well as their bid to reach Tokyo 2020, which begins early next year.

Four Asian teams, including host Japan, will compete in the men’s football tournament, while Asako Takakura’s Asian champions will be one of three to take part in the women’s competition, making the battle to represent the Continent one with little margin for error.

Both competitions have already seen dramatic qualifying action in Asia. The Road to Tokyo’s women’s football tournament began in Asia on November 4, 2018, while the first men’s qualifiers got underway on March 22, 2019, with final tournaments to be staged in early 2020 to determine the Continent's representatives.

CHINESE TAIPEI 4-1 IR IRAN

A powerful first-half display ensured any pre-match nerves for Chinese Taipei quickly disappeared, as Kauzo Echigo's side reached the last eight with an emphatic victory at Grand Hamad Stadium.

Three teams were still in contention going into Matchday Three, but a draw or better was all Chinese Taipei needed, and they made life easy for themselves with a fast start, which removed any danger of final day disappointment.

VIETNAM 2-0 JORDAN

Vietnam clicked into gear in the second half to seal their place in Round 3, eventually seeing off a stubborn Jordan to claim top spot in Group B with a 2-0 win at Transportation Institute Stadium.

The Southeast Asians needed only a point to confirm their status as group winners, but they left the pitch with all three after Nguyen Thi Van and Hunyh Nhu scored within two minutes of each other to finally edge out Azzedine Chih's side in the second half.

MYANMAR 3-3 INDIA

Myanmar and India shared six goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw, but only one side was celebrating as the group hosts reached the final eight on goal difference.

Win Theingi Tun played a crucial role in Myanmar's progression, netting all three of their goals in a gripping, see-sawing encounter in which the lead changed hands three times.

PHILIPPINES 2-0 IR IRAN

Two excellent goals in five second-half minutes proved decisive for the Philippines, who kick-started their week in Qatar with an impressive 2-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran at Grand Hamad Stadium.

A stunning opener from Joyce Semacio was quickly followed by Alisha Del Campo's precise second, as Let Dimzon's side passed their opening test, and set up a top of the table clash with Chinese Taipei on Saturday.