The knockout stage has come early for Iran, who must beat China - and hope Uzbekistan lose to Korea Republic in Pathum Thani - to have any chance of reaching the last eight of the competition.

Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Korea Republic means Team Melli Omid must beat eliminated China PR on Wednesday, and hope the Koreans beat Uzbekistan on the other side of the country, if they are to have any chance of continuing their campaign into a second week.

Early elimination would dash Iran’s hopes of ending their much-discussed 44-year Olympic football qualification drought, and Shojaei told the-AFC.com he has no intention of giving up on his Tokyo dream until the chance is gone.

Team Melli Omid created early chances, but the Koreans took full control of the first half from the 20-minute mark onwards, controlling proceedings and scoring goals through Lee Dong-jun and Cho Gue-sung to take a 2-0 half-time lead.

Reza Shekari pulled a goal back after the interval, but it was a case of too little, too late for Iran, who must now overturn a three-point deficit to second placed Uzbekistan on Matchday Three if they are to salvage a place in the knockout stage.

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.

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.

After 2016 runners-up Korea Republic sealed their progress on Matchday Two, seven of the eight knockout spots are still to be confirmed.

Ahead of the action, join the-AFC.com as we take a detailed look at exactly who needs what in order to go through and move one step closer to Continental glory and a place at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.