With qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on the line, Uzbekistan currently lead the way with seven points from three games, one more than their Saudi counterparts who are second.

With high stakes fixtures on the agenda all over the Continent, the-AFC.com scrutinises some of the key facts and figures ahead of the 32-match extravaganza to come.

With only the eight group winners and four best runners-up advancing to the final round of Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, there will be no room for slip-ups.

The same applies for the final stage of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with the 12 next best-placed teams advancing to the third round. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the eight groups stand.

Helio Sousa's side stunned Asia's top ranked team Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0 in a gripping Group C tie while Palestine also walked tall after holding three-time AFC Asian Cup winners Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in Group D.

The historic clash between DPR Korea and Korea Republic, meanwhile, also ended 0-0 in Pyongyang.

Stay with the-AFC.com for the latest on the Asian Qualifiers.

The Continent's 40 teams will only have a few days to recover before Matchday Four comes along on Tuesday, with another 16 matches scheduled.

There were winning starts for Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates while Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw by Yemen.

Bangladesh, the final team to open their campaign on Matchday 2, were edged 1-0 by Afghanistan.

The Asian Qualifiers action will resume on October 10 so make sure to stay with the-AFC.com for the latest.

It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.

The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.