Head coach Yoshiro Moriyama’s charges qualified for the Finals after finishing as Group J winners with an impressive record of 35 goals scored without conceding a single goal, and it is no surprise that Nakano is in the squad, having scored eight goals in three games.

The two-time AFC U-16 champions have had a busy year since their qualification last September, and tasted success recently after winning all four matches in the 2018 WAFF U-16 Championship in Jordan to emerge winners.

Morgan, who over the past two months has overseen training camps in New South Wales and Victoria with some of Australia’s most talented teen footballers, has settled on a squad containing 17 players currently aligned to A-League clubs, five players that feature in state-based competitions, and one overseas based player – Tristan Hammond of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Morgan’s squad will face a tough test in Group D of the 2018 AFC U-16 Championship where they will face defending champions Iraq, Korea Republic and Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the Joeys boss is confident his side have the capacity to excel.

Head coach Yaqoob al Sabahi's squad played two friendlies against Iran during their training camp, suffering 1-0 and 2-1 defeats.

Sabahi used the friendlies to gauge his players in preparation for their Group B challenge against Yemen, DPR Korea and Jordan.

Oman, who were champions in 1996, will have a training stint in Malaysia before the tournament kicks off, which will include friendlies against Indonesia (September 12) and Australia (September 15), after which Sabahi is expected to finalise the squad.

The draw, conducted at the AFC House, saw Malaysia, quarter-finalists in 2014, drawn in Group A with two-time champions Japan, 1998 winners Thailand and Tajikistan.

Group B has two-time champions DPR Korea with Oman, winners in 1996 and 2000, Yemen and Jordan.

Islamic Republic of Iran, the 2016 runners-up, will continue their pursuit of a first title, having drawn Vietnam, India and Indonesia in Group C.

Defending champions Iraq will look to make history by being the first team to win back-to-back titles as they face Australia, Korea Republic - who won the Championship in 1986 and 2002 - and tournament debutants Afghanistan in Group D.

Asian Football Confederation General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John emphasised the importance of the tournament in developing young players, saying: “The AFC U-16 Championship has a long and proud history, and the last edition in India was not only a huge success on the field, but it is also regarded as a defining moment for football and youth development in the country.

“The 16 best teams will compete for the title in September, and the added bonus is that the top four teams will represent Asia in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2019, which will be held in Peru.

“The AFC U-16 Championship represents the foundation of the AFC’s vision and mission, which sets the objective to provide support for our teams and allow them to succeed on the world stage.

“I want to thank this year’s hosts, the Football Association of Malaysia, and I am sure we will witness a memorable Championship.”

The AFC U-16 Championship Malaysia is on September 20 - October 7.