Supachai Chaided had given the Thais the lead 14 minutes before the end of the first half, but a tactical switch at halftime followed by the introduction of Xiao in the 64th minute turned the game in China’s favour.

“I’m very satisfied,” said Lippi as the Chinese won their first game in the knockout phase of the AFC Asian Cup since the semi-finals of the 2004 tournament on home soil.

Guangzhou R&F striker Xiao levelled the scores in thr 67th minute after Supachai Chaided had given Thailand the lead just after the half hour mark and Gao Lin secured the win for China with a penalty 20 minutes from time.

Xiao’s goal – the 100th of the tournament so far – was key for a China side that dominated the second half but were unable to find a way past Siwarak Tedsungnoen in the Thai goal until the arrival of the veteran forward, who finally ended Thailand’s resistence.

In the end it was a deserved win for a Chinese side that welcomed back Wu Lei to the starting line-up after missing the 2-0 loss against Korea Republic with a shoulder injury while Thailand called up Supachai for the injured Adisak Kraisorn.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s smart finish and an Ashkan Dejagah spot-kick - both in the first half - helped secure Iran’s passage through to the last eight, on a night when Oman were left to rue an early penalty miss.

The victory leaves Carlos Queiroz’s charges still on track to win the nation’s first Continental title since 1976, and looking ahead to Thursday’s meeting with China PR in the next round after the East Asians beat Thailand earlier in the day.

Up next for Vietnam will be the winners of the Japan-Saudi Arabia last 16 tie, with the quarter-final to be also played at Al Maktoum Stadium.

Both teams started positively as they went in search of an early goal with the first shot on target for Jordan and it came in the 17th minute when Baha' Abdelrahman forced Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lam into action.

Three minutes later, Jordan came close again when Mousa Mohammad Suleiman lured three defenders out of position before his back-heel pass found the unmarked Feras Zeyad Shilbaya, whose cross to Yaseen Mahmoud Bakheet saw his effort going wide.

Hosts UAE are hoping to better their 1996 achievement - when they finished runners-up on home soil - by winning the Continental showpiece but Kyrgyz Republic are from satisfied despite having already achieved their initial target of making the knockout stage.

UAE head coach Alberto Zaccheroni, however, believes the hunger and focus he has seen in his squad since they finished top of Group A will result in success against Kyrgyz Republic, who advanced from Group C as one of the four best third-placed teams.

After having cruised through Group F with three wins, Japan will face their toughest test so far in the form of Saudi Arabia but Moriyasu believes his team are ready.

“After our three games in the group stage, we are now well prepared to face our opponents (Saudi Arabia) and the players will show their best on the field,” said Moriyasu, who took charge of Japan after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“We have used 22 players during the group stage and this has brought us to the knockout round. And we’re looking at the quarter-finals now.”

Leckie, a key member of the Australia team that won the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015, has yet to feature for Arnold’s team at the tournament after joining up with the squad carrying a hamstring injury.

But the Socceroos’ head coach confirmed the 27-year-old would be available for selection in a squad that also welcomes back Josh Risdon from injury and Trent Sainsbury, who was suspended for the win over Syria.