Joint slogan contest winners – Jalal Nakhaie and Scott Sommerville - were rewarded with a pair of an all-expenses paid trip to witness Saturday’s grand opening ceremony, which saw hosts UAE held to a 1-1 draw against Bahrain in a tightly contested Group A opener.

“Just making my way from the airport to the hotel, to see Bringing Asia Together everywhere is an indescribable feeling, I am completely overjoyed,” said Nakhaie who was born in the Islamic Republic of Iran but now resides in Australia.

With time running out, Khalil impressively held his nerve to convert from 12 yards for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup runners-up after Mohamed Al Rohaimi had given a resilient Bahrain the lead just 10 minutes earlier.

The draw, played out in front of a vocal crowd at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium, sees the regional rivals tied at the top of the Group A standings ahead of Sunday’s match between fellow group hopefuls India and Thailand.

After a cautious opening, it was to be the UAE who threatened first, striker Ali Mabkhout expertly finding Ismail Al Hammadi who raced into the area and fired narrowly wide of Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar’s far post with six minutes played.

Against the backdrop of a packed stadium and hundreds of millions around the world, football fans were treated to a breathtaking live show with a series of on-pitch music performances in a fitting tribute to the excellence of Asian football and the vibrant spirit, colour and atmosphere of the host nation.

Internationally renowned singing sensations from the UAE, Hussain Al Jassmi, Balqees Ahmed Fathi and Eida Al Menhali were the ceremony’s main stars, which set the perfect stage for the tournament’s opener between the hosts UAE and Bahrain.

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who amassed over 100 caps for his nation before his recent retirement and grabbed three goals in Australia’s road to the 2015 title was also in attendance to co-present the trophy to the AFC President.

The handover will be the final occasion the old trophy will feature in an Asian Cup after the AFC commissioned a new trophy during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the Burj Khalifa in May last year.

The old trophy, which was last lifted by 2015 hosts Australia at Stadium Australia in Sydney, has been an integral part of the competition for over six decades since making its debut at the inaugural edition in 1956.

At the AFC Executive Committee meeting at the UAE capital, Shaikh Salman said: “Tomorrow we will witness the kick-off of the biggest-ever AFC Asian Cup when hosts, the United Arab Emirates, take on Bahrain.

“The AFC would like to thank the UAE Government, the Local Organising Committee - and all those involved in delivering this tournament - for their hard work during the past four years.

“History will be made with so many new initiatives for the AFC Asian Cup, which over the months have been introduced for this AFC Asian Cup.

Three Wild Boars players as well as their assistant coach, will see Thailand’s opening game against India at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday at the invitation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

There will also be a meet and greet for the group with their national heroes and they will receive a behind-the-scenes stadium tour before experiencing VIP access during what promises to be a decisive contest.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The courage and perseverance of the 12 teenagers and their coach under extremely challenging conditions were a source of inspiration for millions of people across the world.

The 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, which will be the biggest and best Continental showpiece, kicks off on Saturday with hosts United Arab Emirates taking on Bahrain in their Group A opener at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Check out the individual national team kits by groups below: