So tight is the race to win the group that Korea Republic could find themselves dropping to third in the standings after the final whistle is blown for the Lebanon-DPR Korea and Turkmenistan-Sri Lanka ties.

With qualification for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 to take a break till March after Tuesday's matches, the-AFC.com picks five things to look out for.

There has been no shortage of excitement as the Continent's top 40 teams lock horns, with automatic qualification to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals guaranteed for the eight group winners and four best second-placed teams.

That will also seal them a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, while the next 24 best-placed teams will advance to the final stage of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

China PR and Islamic Republic of Iran suffered defeats, as did the United Arab Emirates while Korea Republic were held to a goalless draw by a battling Lebanon in Beirut.

Australia and Japan stayed perfect as they both recorded their fourth consecutive wins while Saudi Arabia showed great determination, twice coming from behind to defeat Uzbekistan.

Stay with the-AFC.com as we bring you the latest on the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with Matchday Six coming up on Tuesday.

It was the East Asians second draw, having been held 0-0 by DPR Korea in Pyongyang last month, but Son and Hwang admitted that the Taeguk Warriors should have taken full points against Lebanon.

Following on from their Matchday Four stalemate with DPR Korea in Pyongyang, Paulo Bento’s charges were unable to find a way past a resolute Lebanon defence and impressive host goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil, although the result has left them one point clear at the summit.

The draw, meanwhile, has lifted Lebanon to second and left them hot on the heels of their table-topping opponents who will now not be in action again until March’s home game against Turkmenistan.

It was Turkmenistan's second win of their qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, reviving their hopes after having suffered two consecutive defeats.

For DPR Korea, the defeat is a blow to their hopes as they had gone into the tie level on top of the standings with Korea Republic on seven points.