AFC Asian Cup 2019 Final Draw: Possible Groups and Match-ups

The Indian captain revealed that the Blue Tigers were too nervous during the 2011 edition in Qatar, where they ended their campaign in the first round.

“One of the things I learned after 2011 was that there were a lot of nerves, we were too excited and overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the tournament,” said Chhetri, who will play a starring role in the draw at the Armani Hotel in the iconic Burj Khalifa.

“My advice to some of my teammates who have never experienced the Asian Cup is to just calm down.. we still have six months to prepare and we must just give our best and enjoy.”

India impressed in the qualifying stage to seal a spot in the Finals with matches to spare and Stephen Constantine’s men will be looking to carry that form into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

“We were in a transition period because we had a new coach (Constantine) coming in (just before the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifiers) and it took us some time as we had to bring fresh faces into the team but in the end we combined well (in the AFC Asian Cup 2019 qualifiers) and it has worked well for us so far."

The legendary Daei, who will play a starring role in the Final Draw of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Armani Hotel in the iconic Burj Khalifa on Friday, explained his conviction:

"Iran have been Asia's top team for the last few years for a reason - the consistency of the technical team.

"There have been very few changes in the technical team's set up and the stability has allowed coach Carlos Queiroz to focus on building a formidable squad.

"Queiroz has also looked far and wide for the best players and this has had a positive effect on the national team," said the former Iran captain.

Iran are Asia's top side in the FIFA World Ranking and were also the first team from the Continent to seal a place in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, confirming their place last June.

They finished the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifiers unbeaten and Daei is expecting the form to be carried into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, with Iran lifting the trophy.

The last of Iran's three triumphs in the AFC Asian Cup was in 1976, meaning that it will be 43 years since they last won the title by the time the action in UAE 2019 kicks off in January.

A penalty shoot-out defeat to Saudi Arabia meant heartbreak for UAE in the final played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Bakheet, who will play a starring role in the Final Draw of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Armani Hotel Ballroom at the UAE’s iconic Burj Khalifa on Friday, is counting on the current UAE squad to lift the new trophy.

"In 1996, penalties were needed after the final ended 0-0. This was something which we hadn't wanted, although we were prepared, as Saudi Arabia had more experience in penalty shoot-outs," said Bakheet.

"In fact, I was asked to take a penalty but I refused, because I felt that I wasn't lucky."

Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ali Daei, who was top scorer the last time the tournament was held in the UAE in 1996, former China PR and Manchester City star Sun Jihai, current stars India’s Sunil Chhetri and Philip Younghusband from the Philippines will feature alongside draw conductor, AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John in selecting the teams from the four pots.

Together with UAE legend Zuhair Bakheet, whose role will be unveiled during tomorrow’s draw, the five football luminaries were specially selected to represent all the five AFC zones competing in UAE 2019, exemplifying the tournament slogan of “Bringing Asia Together.”