There were wild celebrations in Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen recently when those nations secured their historic qualifications.

All three are now eagerly anticipating the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2019 Official Draw, to be held in Dubai on May 4, and The-AFC.com spoke to players from the three debutants to get their thoughts on the draw and ask what qualification meant to their respective countries.

As the number one ranked team in Asia, expectations are high in Iran that 2019 might be the year that Carlos Queiroz’s side lifts high the continent’s biggest prize.

One of the players hoping to return his country to the top of Asia is Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and the-AFC.com recently spoke to the Netherlands-based forward to get his thoughts on the tournament ahead of the upcoming AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Official Draw.

The-AFC.com looks at what could unfold at the prestigious tournament draw event in Dubai and which teams could be pitted against one another in the proverbial group of death, groups of champions, familiar foes and more.

First Round:

The first round of qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 took place more than three years ago in March 2015.

Sunil Chhetri netted twice for India in a 2-0 home victory over Nepal in Guwahati and the South Asians advanced to the next stage by the same scoreline after a scoreless draw in the second leg in Guwahati.

Elsewhere, Yemen overcame Pakistan, while there were also wins for Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste, who all advanced to the second round of qualifying.

Italian Zaccheroni led the East Asians to their last continental title back in 2011 during four years at the helm of the Samurai Blue before stepping down following the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

After a short stint in China with Beijing Guoan in 2016, Zaccheroni was tempted back into international management in October last year as the UAE entrusted the former AC Milan and Juventus head coach as the man to bring glory to the Gulf state on home soil in early 2019.

Qualification is a first ever for the senior team, currently based in Qatar, and a rare achievement for the Under-16s who still train in Yemen.

"Qualification has brought Yemenis together - they're doing us proud," said Ahmed Sabahi, a fan in the southern port city of Aden.

"All Yemenis are behind their team," he said.

Yemen's war entered its fourth year in March. 

"We hope the team will honour Yemen and give Yemenis some relief," said Sabahi.

Krestinin’s side handed Myanmar a comprehensive 5-1 loss to guarantee themselves a top two finish with just one game remaining and with the Central Asian side due to face India in their final qualifying match on Tuesday, the head coach is now targeting pole position.

“We’re very happy with this win,” said Krestinin. “We have achieved qualification for the final stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and this is the first time in the history of Kyrgyz football.

“I want to say thanks to all my players and staff, and to the fans who have always supported us in the important matches. We have been able to take the next step in the development of our football. The players and the country lived with the same dream: qualification for the Finals.”

Goals from Islam Shamsiev and Anton Zemlianukhin in the opening five minutes sent the Kyrgyz side on their way to an impressive win, with Zemlianukhin claiming a second before further goals from Vitalij Lux and Bekzhan Sagynbaev meant Kyaw Ko Ko’s goal was nothing more than a consolation for Myanmar.