The Southeast Asians first face Kyrgyz Republic in Korea Republic on Thursday. Victory in that match would see them leapfrog their opponents and leave them needing to defeat Macau at home five days later to seal a place at the tournament for the first time since 1968.

Aung Thu, 21, will be hoping to be among the goals again, having started the comeback when Myanmar came from 2-0 down to draw with Kyrgyz Republic in Yangon last October. Ahead of the crucial reverse fixture, the forward speaks exclusively to the-AFC.com about his hopes going into the final two qualification games.

The Yangon United midfielder has worn the skipper’s armband in both of Myanmar’s third round fixtures and, while acknowledging the ability of their Matchday Three hosts, is quietly confident of victory at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.

Q: You now face back-to-back matches against Kyrgyz Republic on Matchdays Three and Four, can you tell us your opinion of them?

A: Obviously, these are a pair of hugely important games. Kyrgyz Republic, in my opinion, are one of the strongest teams in our group. They have so many quality players and are well organised.

I think they will look to bounce back against us after they lost India in their last away match, but I feel we are in good form, with high spirits and confidence, and we’re ready for this game.

We came here for the three points and then we will go back to our country in order to prepare for the return meeting and another victory.

Q: How important is coach Gert Zeise to the Myanmar team?

A: He showed what he can do for Myanmar Football when he helped us reach the final four of the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship and earned us a ticket to the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

He has worked in Myanmar Football for almost seven years now and obtained very good results. He is very important to the team, and we all trust him a lot.

The visitors led from as early as the 12th minute when midfielder Anton Zelyanuhin (pictured below, left) fired home from the penalty spot after Myanmar keeper Thiha Si Thu was adjudged to have committed a foul in the area. 

Kyrgyz Republic doubled their lead in the 49th minute when Viktor Maier waltzed through the Myanmar defence and blasted a powerful shot home from the edge of the area. 

It was a match that Myanmar did more than enough to win, however, but were undone by wasteful finishing and a strong performance by Kyrgyz goalkeeper Matiash Pavel, until his error in the final minute gifted Myanmar the draw. 

Team manager Dan Palami is delighted that the overseas-based players have answered his call for them to support the bid to qualify for the final stage of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.

Among those reporting for training this week ahead of the Tajikistan match on March 27 include goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, who plays for Welsh club Cardiff City, and Malaysian-based players Ian Ramsay and Misagh Bahadoran.

“We should be proud of our national team players who are doing well internationally in their various clubs,” said Palami.

The Azkals lead Group F of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Qualifiers on nine points and need only a draw against Tajikistan to confirm their place among the Continent's elite for next January's blockbuster in the United Arab Emirates.

The could have sealed their berth on Matchday Five last November but were held 0-0 by Nepal.

Over the years, the Green Falcons have built themselves a reputation across the continent, earning respect for their footballing achievements.

All of those achievements are looked at with pride by Saudi fans but the 1984 AFC Asian Cup win remains special for all those who witnessed it.

On the 33rd anniversary of that triumph, the-AFC.com looks back at how the Saudis won their first Asian title.

 

The coach

While the 1984 AFC Asian Cup in Singapore was the eighth edition of the quadrennial tournament, it marked Saudi Arabia's first appearance.

Saudi Arabia came into their debut tournament led by a coach who had only taken charge earlier that year.

Khalil Al Zayani had been overseeing his hometown club Al Ettifaq when he was called on to replace Mario Zagallo at the helm of the national team, following a disastrous start at the Gulf Cup.

Then aged only 37 years old, Al Zayani was considered as relatively young but his early performances as manager helped him earn the management's trust.

Not only did he resurrect the Saudi campaign at the Gulf Cup but Al Zayani also took the team to the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Leading up to the Asian Cup in December, public confidence in Al Zayani's abilities was rising and it was based on good instincts - as he went on to show.

 

The campaign

Saudi Arabia's opening match of the tournament in Group A pitted them against two-time champions Korea Republic and the difficulty of the clash came to the fore when the Saudis went behind to a goal from Lee Tae-ho in the 51st minute.

It would take a last minute strike from the rising star Majed Abdullah for Saudi Arabia to salvage a point - their first ever point at an AFC Asian Cup.

The next match was historic as well and it gave the Green Falcons their first continental win, as Saleh Khalifa's second half goal powered them to a 1-0 victory over Syria.

Mile Jedinak raised the AFC Asian Cup trophy into the Sydney night sky as tournament hosts Australia capped a remarkable 23 days in January 2015 with victory over Korea Republic in the final of the 16th edition of the continental championship in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia.

The Socceroos’ victory in extra-time over the two-time champions was a fittingly dramatic end to a tournament that boasted high-quality football, sold-out venues, record-breaking media coverage and – finally – a new champion.

James Troisi scored the winning goal for the Australians after Son Heung-min cancelled out Massimo Luongo’s opener in second half injury time, taking proceedings in to extra-time and setting up a grandstand finish.

The 2015 AFC Asian Cup win was Australia’s first since joining the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, and saw the men’s team match the achievement of the country’s women, who won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2010.

As many as five teams could confirm their places alongside hosts the UAE as well as Australia, China P.R, Japan, Korea Republic, Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan, who all booked their berths last year.

the-AFC.com looks at the permutations that could see the list of qualifiers for the Finals grow.

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