Selby believes that a combination of important factors present consistently over years or decades increases the chances of doing well at youth world tournaments and sets a foundation for future World Cups.

“In fact the same combination exists in the nations that have gone far in the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar this year which again included Japan, Australia, Uzbekistan and the likes of them,” the Australian told the-afc.com.

Uzbekistan tamed fellow Asians Australia 4-0 while the Samurai Blue juniors thrashed New Zealand 6-0 to punch their tickets to the last eight of the youth tournament whose matches will take place on July 3 and 4. Uzbekistan is set to face Uruguay and Japan will clash with Brazil in the quarterfinal.

The experienced coach educator and team coach has said a long-term and contestant’s success does not happen by chance – in fact countries who regularly perform well on the international stage have several common factors that lead to a better on-field performance:

Selby listed the following combination of factors:

- Well-Structured and Funded Technical Plan For Football Development Within Their Country (domestic and international programs): Supported by an effective Technical Department and expert staff.

- Talented Player Identification as well as Selection Methods and Criteria: Bench-marked against world standards and future requirements.

- Talented Player Development and Competition Programmes: Again bench-marked against world standards and future requirements.

- Grassroots Football Structure: Development of future stars and their foundation

- High Performance Department focusing on the international stage as well as technical and tactical needs.

- Pathways for the development and exposure of talented players and coaches at the international level.

- Sports science and sports medicine personnel for players’ welfare and health.

- A national commitment to funds, people, resources, time and a strong desire to implement a systematic plan to be successful at international tournaments.

Selby has said that there is no 100-percent guarantee that the above factors will clinch the crown but the chances of doing so are much higher.

“There is no guarantee, but then if AFC member associations structure their technical development framework taking into account these factors, their chances will go much higher and vice versa.

“I can see that Japan and Australia have such a combination in place while Uzbekistan is developing such a system and has the advantage of a European influence on their football.

“Many established youth teams such as Spain, France, Germany, Holland and Argentina have had long implementation phases with a combination of these important factors and they have been highly successful,” he said.

Selby has also commended Japan and Uzbekistan in terms of team performance on the group stage.

“Japan and Uzbekistan emerge top in their groups. The Central Asians have humbled powerhouses the USA and Czech Republic while Japan have conquered the big teams, France and Argentina.

“So, they have produced very good results. These are very significant achievements that will set the pace for future results” he said.