Myanmar face a stern opening test when they take on overwhelming favourites Korea Republic but Khin said the Southeast Asians have a fighting chance for an upset.

Korea Republic, like Myanmar, are vying to advance to the Play-offs and sealing one of the the two berths available to Tokyo 2020.

Vietnam, the other contenders in Group A, will begin their qualifying campaign against Myanmar on Thursday.

The Taeguk Ladies, along with Group A opponents Vietnam and Myanmar, will lock horns in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers with all hoping aiming to advance to the Play-offs and sealing the two berths available to Tokyo 2020.

Group A will be played at Jeju World Cup Stadium, Seogwipo with Korea Republic hosting Myanmar in the opening clash on Monday.

Both former AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners – and the combatants in the 1981 final – Chinese Taipei and Thailand have proud histories in the women’s game, but they arrive in Sydney considered outsiders in a group which contains continental heavyweights Australia and China PR.

A major upset would be required for either to advance to the final play-off, but even that scenario would rely on a positive result in Monday’s opener, making Group B’s opening fixture one neither side can afford to lose.

Korea Republic, Vietnam and Myanmar will see Group A action in Jeju Island, Korea Republic, while Australia, Thailand, China PR and Chinese Taipei will play their Group B matches in Sydney, Australia.

The top two sides from Group B will play off – on a home and away basis – against the top two teams from Group A – for the final two places, alongside hosts Japan, at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Vietnam have been in intensive training for the Qualifiers and will head to Jeju Island, Korea Republic for the Qualifiers on February 3-9 as the Southeast Asian nation look to qualify for the Olympics after a stellar 2019 which saw them winning the AFF Women’s Championship and SEA Games.

The Olympic Qualifiers will be a tougher ask but charismatic captain Huynh Nhu believes Vietnam will seal one of the two berths available to Tokyo 2020.

Australia will compete against group hosts China PR, as well as Chinese Taipei and Thailand from February 3 to 9 in Wuhan, with the group’s top two sides to advance to the final qualification play-offs in March.