Japan coach Ikeuchi Yutaka thinks all four sides are in with a chance of advancing from Group D.

TASHKENT – Japan U-16 national team coach Ikeuchi Yutaka believes there are no favourites in this year's AFC U-16 Championship as his side start their title defence against Malaysia in Group D on Sunday.

Japan won the title two years ago but Yutaka insists their past success counts for nothing with other team’s eager to win the tournament this year.

"We have the same goal that we had in the previous edition of the competition," said Yutaka.

"However, the other teams will be fighting in order to win the top prize as well.

"There are no favourites now and it is going to be very hard to qualify to the next stage. Our first match against Malaysia will not be easy because they are a good team and they can give us a hard time."

Malaysia coach Lim Kim Chon was optimistic ahead of the game even though his side qualified only as a result of the disqualification of DPR Korea from the qualifiers.

"There is always pressure when you play the first game," said Chon.

"There will be even more pressure on us because our first game will be against the defending champions and it will not be easy.”

The other match in the group will feature a fight between two West Asian teams as UAE will tackle 2002 finalists Yemen.

And UAE coach Ali Ibrahim knows how important the first game is.

"The first match is decisive and it could put us half way through to the quarter-finals," he said.

"We have prepared for all the matches and we're hoping to have a good start.

"Yemen are always good at this level and the match will not be easy," he continued.

"We have watched them in an international friendly tournament in Tunisia and their players are good."

Yemen coach Sami Al Nash warned that there could be surprises in this year's tournament and is optimistic his side can make a good start against UAE.

"The match against UAE is important and both teams know each other very well," said Al Nash.

"The game is important for both teams and the winners will have a good start."

"We hope to have a good performance and get a result and I'm optimistic that we can play well.

“All 16 teams in the finals have a chance to go through to the quarter-finals and I think there will be a lot of surprises."

Source:The AFC.com