AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “Asian football continues to make giant strides on the world stage and the remarkable growth and stature of the AFC Asian Cup exemplifies the undeniable progress of football in the Continent. Emirates have been a long-standing partner of the AFC and we would like to thank them for their firm belief in the development and ever-improving proposition of Asian football.

“Through this partnership with Emirates Holidays, we are confident that we will engage with more families, more passionate fans of all ages, from across all the five AFC regions and beyond. Together with the LOC and Emirates Holidays, the AFC is committed to staging an AFC Asian Cup of world class standards – a true celebration of Bringing Asia Together.”

Through the partnership, Emirates Holidays will offer a broad range of excellent value packages to football fans traveling to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah to support their teams. Each package has been designed for country specific football fans which includes match ticket(s), accommodation and return flights with Emirates Airline.

After a busy summer with five Asian nations participating in the FIFA World Cup and Korea Republic winning gold at the Asian Games, teams are now fully focused on preparing for the most prestigious continental showpiece, the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

And with the vast majority of the 24 participating teams taking part in friendly matches over the next ten days, the international break offers an opportunity for us to have a sneak peek into what's to come.

So, here are five things we can look out for in the upcoming series of friendlies.

Almost all the 24 teams will be in action as they cast their eyes on UAE 2019 which is a mere 121 days away.

Defending champions Australia, however, will not be in action as new head coach Graham Arnold has opted to use the international break to gather his players for a training camp in Antalya, Turkey.

The 2018 Asian Games' football competition saw Korea Republic defeat Japan 2-1 in extra-time in an exciting climax at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, and eyes now turn to the biggest event in the continental game: the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Here are six players who stood out in Indonesia and will aspire to rise to even greater heights for their countries in the UAE in January. Let us know in the poll below who you think will be the one to watch.

With just over four months to Asia’s most prestigious football tournament, 5,000 opportunities were launched across a number of exciting and critical roles, from liaising with team services and VIPs hospitality across the competition, to media work and venue operations.

The launch event for the volunteers’ programme was attended by LOC Director of Marketing and Communications, Ahmad Al Qobaisi, who was joined by Saeed Khalifah Al Muhairi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council Director of Technical Affairs, along with Mohammad Al Shatiri AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Volunteers Programme Manager, who were present among a crowd of football fans on Friday in Dubai Mall.

The campaign, which continues the theme of the AFC’s highly-successful, ‘It’s My Game’ movement, is the first of its kind in the West Zone and will feature stories of real women involved in sport and the community, from players to doctors, marketers to managers, referees, photographers, coaches and more.

AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John said: “Women’s football represents an essential pillar for the AFC and is an important part of the future success of Asian football.

“As we have witnessed through the ‘It’s My Game campaign,’ we will continue to invest in their development to fulfil our vision and mission in expanding the reach of the game and to empower communities of all nationalities, ages, and backgrounds.

“There is no better platform to showcase and celebrate the inspiring role of women than through Asia’s most prestigious and biggest-ever football tournament.”

The campaign also aims to encourage conversations with the next generation on the prospects of pursuing a career in sport as well as leveraging on the power of sport to empower the community.

In support of the Local Organising Committee’s aim of ‘Bringing Asia Together’, group ticket packages allow businesses the chance to bring their employees, no matter their nationality or football knowledge, to celebrate Asia as one. This is the first ticket release from the LOC and offers groups the chance to reserve tickets before the 51 match, 24 nation tournament goes on general sale later this summer.