Korea Republic scored a major win as they beat World No 5 Uruguay 2-1, Japan defeated Panama 3-0, Qatar edged Ecuador 4-3, Palestine overcame Tajikistan on penalties to take the Bangabhandu Gold Cup while Saudi Arabia produced a fighting performance in their 2-0 loss to five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil.

The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Executive Committee approved the recommendation to align the AFC’s national teams competitions with the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game (LOTG) announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The entire Continent is eagerly awaiting Asia’s most prestigious tournament and it is, therefore, essential that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 adopts the latest regulations as we strive to stage a truly unforgettable spectacle.

“I am confident the new regulations will add to the excitement of Asia’s flagship national team competition and further strengthen the AFC’s ambitions to be the world’s leading Confederation.”

Narrow failures they may have been on the road to Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, but they were still significant achievements for a small nation numbering just over a million inhabitants.

Indeed, had Bahrain qualified for the 2006 edition, they would have been the smallest nation at that time to feature at a World Cup. Instead that achievement went the way of their opponents – the Dwight Yorke-inspired Trinidad and Tobago. And that feat, of course, was famously eclipsed by Iceland this year in Russia.

Four years after Bahrain's initial heartbreak came even more anguish as they missed a penalty that would have taken them to the World Cup at New Zealand’s expense. New Zealand, of course subsequently competed at South Africa 2010 with distinction, completing the group stage undefeated.

Thailand and Syria recorded wins, the United Arab Emirates played to a draw against Honduras while Bahrain, Iraq and Lebanon suffered defeats.

Barcelona: The United Arab Emirates, aiming to impress on home soil, secured a 1-1 draw with Honduras with talisman Omar Abdulrahman's 32nd minute strike giving them a share of the spoils at the Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic in Barcelona.

Honduras had taken an 18th minute lead through Romell Quioto, who scored with a right-footed shot from close range to the top right corner of the UAE net.

UAE fought back and were rewarded when Abdulrahman found the back of the net with a right-footed effort after receiving the ball from Ismaeil Matar.

In the past few weeks you have been voting for the best forwards and midfielders, and now it's time to turn our attention to defenders.

So, here are eight candidates for the spots at the backline. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the poll below.

Deng is one of five uncapped players in Graham Arnold’s squad for the training camp in the UAE and next week’s international friendly against Kuwait in preparation for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

The 21-year-old has represented Australia at both U-19 and U-23 level but this is his first call-up to the senior squad and one he plans on making the most of.

Iran won the last of their titles in 1976 and Quieroz said this is a wait that must end.

“My responsibility as a coach is to lead my team to our target. Our biggest challenge in the UAE is winning the title. We’ve not won the title since 1976,” the former Real Madrid coach said to the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran website.

Iran are in Group D alongside Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen and their first target will be to navigate into the knockout stage in UAE 2019 on January 5-February 1.