Goals to Islom Kobilov – who scored a penalty before failing to convert a second spot-kick after half time – as well as substitute Nurillo Tukhtasinov, secured a win which took Uzbekistan to four points from two matches, and left China PR with no way of reaching the last eight stage.

After being held in a competitive 1-1 draw against Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday One, Drulovic said he was pleased with his side’s convincing display against Hao Wei’s side.

Captain Islom Kobilov scored one penalty kick and had another saved, before Nurillo Tukhtasinov came off the bench seal an important win for Ljubinko Drulovic’s side with 10 minutes remaining.

China PR’s second defeat in succession means they can no longer advance to the knockout stage, while Uzbekistan’s relatively handsome tally of four points from two matches means they require only a draw from their final group stage match against already qualified Korea Republic to advance.

First half goals from Lee Dong-jun and Cho Gue-sung gave Kim Hak-bum’s side a two-goal half-time buffer, but Reza Shekari’s effort nine minutes after the interval meant the Koreans had to negotiate a difficult period in order to extend their winning start to the competition.

Their perfect tally of six points from two matches means they are sure to advance to the knockout stage no matter what happens in Wednesday’s match against Uzbekistan, while Iran’s hopes of ending a 44-year Olympic qualification drought now weighs heavily on their final group stage fixture against China PR.

Ala’a Aldin Dali came off the bench for the second game in a row to score a decisive goal for Hakeem’s side, netting the winner against Japan three days after scoring a late equaliser against Qatar in Syria’s opening game in Group B.

Despite creating the more clear-cut opportunities in what proved to be a tight and tense encounter at the Thammasat Stadium, the Saudis failed to convert a number of second-half chances after breaching a resolute Qatar defence.

Jordan got their campaign underway with a 2-1 victory over DPR Korea on Friday, thanks to strikes from Mohammed Bani Atieh and Omar Hani. Meanwhile, Vietnam were held to a goalless draw by the UAE on the same day.

The Whites held 2018 runners-up Vietnam to a goalless draw in their campaign opener, and victory against DPR Korea would put them well on track to reach the quarter-finals ahead of an anticipated all West Asia clash with Jordan on the final matchday of the group stage.