Needing only to avoid defeat to hold off the hosts in the final match of the round-robin competition, Iran fell behind to a first-half goal from promising Tajikistan striker Rustam Soirov but hit back with Rahimabadi’s 80th-minute leveller to become the Central Asian champions.

Earlier in the day, Uzbekistan beat Turkmenistan 2-0 to finish third in the competition, which serves as preparation for the forthcoming 2020 AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers.

While Iran made it three wins from as many matches with a 2-0 victory over Afghanistan, Tajikistan needed a 77th-minute Rustam Soirov goal to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan, meaning the Iranians will only need to avoid defeat against the hosts in Thursday’s finale to win the round-robin competition.

Iran began the action with a thumping 4-0 win over Turkmenistan, before Tajikistan kept pace with Sirous Pourmousavi’s side with a 3-1 win over Afghanistan.

The regional title is now mathematically beyond both Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, with Uzbekistan the only team remaining who could theoretically challenge the leading pair with two Matchdays remaining.

Tajikistan’s thumping win sent them directly to the top of table, leapfrogging Islamic Republic of Iran on goal difference with three Matchdays remaining in the regional competition, which serves as a crucial warm-up for this year’s AFC U-19 Championship 2020 Qualifiers.

The Central Asian tournament is being used as preparations for November’s AFC U-19 Championship 2020 Qualifiers, in which all five teams will feature.

Australia defeated Singapore 5-0 to finish as Group B winners while Malaysia - who lost 1-0 to Thailand - emerged second after Cambodia stunned Vietnam 2-1.

Australia will meet Myanmar while Malaysia will play Group A winners Indonesia in Saturday's semi-finals.

Myanmar 1-1 Indonesia

Their tie against Myanmar, who also went in to the match with four wins to their name, ended 1-1 with Indonesia sealing top spot on goal difference.

The two now await the Group B's semi-finalists, which will be decided on Thursday.

The intense heat failed to inspire both sets of players in the first half before Myanmar found the lead after the break through Htet Aung with Indonesia captain Rizky Ridho Ramadhani equalising in the 68th minute.