The physically stronger Arabs and the shorter, speedier south east Asians will get the tournament under way as 16 of the top countries from across the continent will battle it out over 22 days for the coveted title.

But whereas Vieira believes strength beats guile, Chanvit is confident his side's fitness will come to the fore.

He said: "Tall or short, this is a situation that doesn't matter to me. If you are talking physically then it is fitness that matters not body size."

Chanvit, named the AFC Coach of the Year after leading Thai Farmers Bank to the first of their back-to-back Asian Club Championship titles, has already masterminded victory over Iraq, but is aware Saturday's clash with the three-time Asian Cup quarter-finalists will be a different encounter to the 4-3 win of February 2006.

He said: "We will try our best to repeat that result but Iraq were silver medalists at the last Asian Games and finished fourth at the 2004 Olympics and I think they will have combined the best players (of these tournaments) for the Asian Cup."

While Chanvit has been at the helm of the Thai national team since replacing former West Germany international Sigi Held at the start of 2005, Vieira has been with the Iraqis for a little over two months.

Vieira only took over the reins on May 24 following the Middle Eastern side's disappointing showing at the Gulf Cup under his predecessor Akram Salman.

Despite this, he has no doubt that Iraq will be ready for their Asian Cup campaign despite struggling to assemble the team together in sufficient time.

"The preparation for this tournament has been difficult," said Vieira, who has squad members that ply their trade in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Iraq.

"Many players play abroad and getting everyone together has not been easy as clubs don't always want to release players when we need them,"

"But football today is like this and we will be ready. Our feeling has to be the best because we came here to win as has every team."