Requiring a win to remain in contention ahead of the match, the result – coupled with table-topping Japan’s defeat of Iraq in the group’s other game – saw Thailand move through to the last eight at the expense of third-placed DPR Korea who had needed a victory of their own to guarantee their progress.

Ithsara Sritharo’s young charges will now meet Group A winners Qatar in what promises to be an enticing last eight encounter at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday.

The 17-year-old pounced on a heavy touch by Emirati stopper Yousef Ali to slam home his third goal in as many matches but despite his key role in the 1-0 victory, Witan said every member of the team had played their part.

"I'm happy that we are through to the last eight, but it can only happen because of the combined effort and the hard work from everyone in the team," he said after being named Player of the Match.

"I would also like to give my biggest appreciation to the fans who have always been there for us, and this is certainly for them as well."

The Garuda Muda were heavy underdogs against the previously unbeaten Emiratis, but a 23rd minute Witan Sulaeman strike carried the hosts to a first appearance in Asia's final eight in 40 years.

The second half sending off of Nurhidayat Haji Haris made their task even more arduous, but Indonesia claimed a famous victory, one which delighted their 55-year-old boss.

The West Asians’ 4-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Wednesday rounded off a group stage campaign that began badly with a defeat to the United Arab Emirates, before a sensational 6-5 victory against host nation Indonesia on Matchday Two brought the 2014 champions back into contention.

In the end, and with three teams level on six points, Qatar assumed pole position in Group A by the narrowest of margins after scoring more goals than either second-placed Indonesia or the eliminated United Arab Emirates in the games between the trio.

The West Asians join Group B leaders Japan as sides to have already stamped their ticket to the quarter finals, after they defied monsoonal rain to beat now eliminated China PR 1-0, thanks to Abdulmohsen Al Qahtani's late goal.

"It was a great match and the Chinese team was very, very strong. They played very well and showed a lot of skill during the match," Abdullah Atawi  said in reflection.

"The circumstances of the weather affected our performance. We had hoped we'd be better than this but this situation is what affected us, but we got the points and that's the most important thing from the match."

The 2-2 draw at Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium kept Hodak's charges in contention for the last eight, though only just, with one point from two matches following last Saturday's 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia.

The Southeast Asians now must beat China PR on Friday, and hope Tajikistan suffer defeat against the Saudis, to stay in with a chance of their first quarter-final appearance in 14 years.

The 18-year-old forward has found the net three times in two games to help Japan secure successive victories, and guarantee the reigning championship both pole position in Group B and a ticket through to the quarter-finals.

After coming off the bench to score against DPR Korea on Matchday One, Miyashiro bagged two more on Monday’s 3-1 win over Thailand, a well-taken brace that capped a consummate performance from the Tokyo native.