PREVIEW | Teams ready for final step on Road to Thailand

Mandalay and Hanoi will act as the respective host cities for Groups A and B, as the eight teams to have successfully navigated last October's opening round turn their gaze towards joining Japan, DPR Korea, China PR and hosts Thailand at this year's Finals.

With the top two sides from each group to advance to the main draw, the-AFC.com previews the week ahead.

GROUP A

Australia, Uzbekistan, Myanmar (host), Nepal

Mary Fowler may have only turned 16 in February, but she will be the source of much interest as the attacking focal point of an Australian squad aiming for an eighth successive Finals berth having reached the semi-finals in China two years ago.

With a senior international debut ticked off at just 15 last July, the talented Fowler - joined in the squad by her 17-year-old sister Ciara - is considered to have a genuine chance at making Australia's FIFA Women's World Cup squad following her substitute appearance against the United States in a 5-3 defeat earlier this month.

There are also high hopes for Uzbekistan, after they breezed through the opening round of qualifying with 34 goals in four games, seven of which where scored by stirker Shahnoza Kurbonova (pictured above), who is aiming to reach the Finals for the third time in a similarly eventful young career.

Uzbekistan's hopes may hinge on their opening day encounter with group hosts Myanmar, who are plotting a return to the Finals after missing out in 2015 and 2017, while Nepal are aiming for a first appearance in the tournament proper since 2004, after wins over Pakistan and India last October propelled them to the final eight.

Group A - Matchday One Fixtures

Australia v Nepal, 16:00 (local time)

Uzbekistan v Myanmar, 19:00 (local time)

GROUP B

Korea Republic, Vietnam (host), Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon

AFC U-19 Women's champions in 2004 and 2013, Korea Republic are one of just four nations to have held that title, but a group stage exit at the 2017 Finals means the class of 2019 must navigate the qualification process - something they have relished thus far, with 14 goals scored and none conceded in Round 1.

Their first assignment in Hanoi comes in the form of Lebanon; the only remaining side to have never appeared in the Finals, but one which impressed many to advance from the opening round.

Group hosts Vietnam will be aiming for back to back appearances in the tournament proper after they reached the Finals in 2017, but they are likely to need a positive result against Islamic Republic of Iran on the opening night if they are to be among the finalists.

Fresh from confidence-boosting wins over Azerbaijan and Belarus, as well as a narrow 1-0 loss to Russia, in a warm-up tournament last month, Katayoun Khosrowyar's charges are expected to provide stiff opposition for the Southeast Asians.

Group B - Matchday One Fixtures

Korea Republic v Lebanon, 16:00 (local time)

Vietnam v Islamic Republic of Iran, 19:00 (local time)