Malaysia will face the two-time champion Saudis, runners-up in Bahrain two years ago, in their opening fixture, having ended a run of five consecutive failed attempts to reach the tournament proper.

Former Johor Darul Ta'zim boss Hodak says that now the side have reached the Finals in neighbouring Indonesia, they will be looking extract every ounce of experience from the competition.

The Southeast Asians were made to dig deep against a side making its first appearance at the tournament for 44 years, with goals from Witan Sulaeman – his second of the game – and Egy Maulana Vikri eventually ensuring a 3-1 win for the hosts despite Chinese Taipei drawing level at one point.

“It was a great victory and I want to thank my players for their endless effort until the very last minute,” declared Sjafri.

“Our opponents played with a compact defence which certainly caused us some issues in the first half, but thanks to a change in tactics after the break we managed to reduce the pressure on ourselves somewhat by attacking more from the flanks.

The 18-year-old's (pictured above, right) brace proved crucial for Indra Sjafri's side. His first goal, a close-range headed effort, gave them a 2-1 lead in 70th minute over the well-organised visitors, before his second effectively killed off the tie if the dying minutes.

The winger also supplied the cross for Egy Maulana Vikri's 50th minute opener to seal a superb performance and send the 17,000-strong crowd at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium home happy.

Goals from Ahmad Fawzi and the impressive Ali Saleh provided a welcome start to the UAE’s campaign in Group A, one which sees them occupying second spot behind hosts Indonesia who beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 to assume pole position.

Although not entirely happy with every aspect of the display against their regional rivals, Balleti believes there were enough positives to underline the potential that exists within the Emirati squad.

For the Young Socceroos, Melbourne City FC’s Connor Metcalfe has replaced Western Sydney Wanderer Kosta Grozos in Ante Milicic’s squad to compete in the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship in Indonesia.

Grozos sustained an injury during the team’s pre-tournament training camp in Singapore which has ruled him out of the tournament. Metcalfe has been involved in previous Young Socceroos training camps this year.

Australia will commence their 2018 AFC U-19 Championship campaign in a Group C tie against Korea Republic at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi, Indonesia later on Friday.

The victory handed the Southeast Asians an ideal start to the competition against a side they had, for long periods, struggled to break down at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

The result sees Indra Sjafri’s charges go top of the Group A table ahead of the United Arab Emirates who beat Qatar 2-1 earlier in the day.

The talented 18-year-old produced a deft assist and a superb goal to hand his side the perfect start to their Group A campaign with games against Chinese Taipei and host nation Indonesia still to come for head coach Ludovic Batelli’s charges.

After a bright start in sultry conditions, Qatar fashioned the first chance of the game, midfielder Abdollah Ali fizzing a shot narrowly wide of the target with four minutes played.