Bughammar was one of several U-23 players that were part of the senior squad at the 24th Gulf Cup as Bahrain clinched their first-ever title with a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in last Sunday’s final, having also won the WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship earlier in the year.

Now, after winning all three of their qualifying games earlier in 2019 to advance to a maiden AFC U23 Championship, Bahrain can look forward to one of the most important competitions on the AFC’s calendar in which qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is also on offer for the top three sides.

Bahrain emerged victorious thanks to Romaihi's 69th minute goal as Helio Sousa's side avenged their 2-0 defeat in the group stage to Saudi Arabia, who were denied a fourth Gulf Cup title.

The AFC U23 Championship, that began in 2014 as the AFC U-22 Championship, has been filled with fantastic fixtures and great games throughout the three editions of the tournament hosted so far in Oman, Qatar and China PR.

Here are five classics to enjoy and whet the appetite for the action to come at Thailand 2020.

Thailand will host 15 teams from January 8-26 and besides regional glory, the fourth edition of the Championship is also offering three spots in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The young War Elephants were drawn with 2013 champions Iraq, Australia and debutants Bahrain, who they will play their Group A opener against, in Thursday's official draw in Bangkok.

Holders Uzbekistan will be looking to repeat their feat from China two years ago while Japan are aiming to return to the form that saw them lift the AFC U23 Championship trophy in Qatar in 2016.

But, after initially being scheduled to take place in mid-2013, the inaugural edition of one of the newest competition’s in the AFC calendar came in 2014 when – as the then AFC U-22 Championship – Iraq conquered all before them in a tournament that saw a number of Asia’s modern-day stars play key roles.

The tournament kicks off on January 8 and will act as the qualifying campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, with the top three sides to book their tickets to the Games this summer, which will be the first to be staged in Asia since Beijing 2008.

But while Japan’s place is already secured as hosts, Moriyasu believes that the AFC U23 Championship provides the perfect platform for the future and one which could help fill his side with belief should they repeat their feat of 2016 by claiming the title.

The first chance of a cagey opening period came the visitors’ way as Ehsan Hajsafi charged into the Bahraini penalty box, getting on the end of a Mehdi Taremi lobbed pass and firing low from a narrow angle, but the Iran skipper watched his shot crawl wide off the upright.

Team Melli dominated possession, but it was the home side that had clear-cut chances. Ahmed Bughammar came close at the half-hour mark. The centre-back was first to meet Sayed Dhiya’s in-swinging corner, but he could not direct his header towards the target.