Training ground fun, high fives, a motivational speech, tributes to teams gone by and a happy homecoming all feature in the latest selection of what Asia’s finest have doing in between games in Russia.

Beiranvand saved a second half penalty from Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after Ricardo Queresma had put the Portuguese in front and Karim Ansarifard’s penalty ensured the Iranians took a share of the spoils.

But while the result ensured Iran finished the World Cup with their best-ever haul of four points from three games, it was not enough to earn the country a spot in the knockout phase for the first time.

The win was the country’s first at the World Cup since their famous 1-0 victory over Belgium – courtesy of Saeed Al Owairan’s wonder goal – in Washington in 1994 and came courtesy of Al Dawsari’s 95th minute strike, when he fired low across Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El Hadary and into the far corner.

It was no more than the Saudis deserved after a campaign that started with a disappointing 5-0 loss to hosts Russia before a much more encouraging performance in a narrow 1-0 reversal against Uruguay.

That left Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side playing for pride in their final game in Group A and they can go home with their heads held high thanks to Al Dawsari’s late goal.

With the second round of fixtures now done and dusted and Matchday Three already upon us, the-AFC.com picks out some of the most noteworthy facts and figures in the second of our World Cup Stats Wraps.

The Samurai Blue No 7 has been deployed alongside skipper Makoto Hasebe in a deeper midfield role in Akira Nishino's 4-2-3-1 set-up. 

But rather than being content with a holding role, Shibasaki has popped up everywhere, contributing in defence, attack and drifting out to the wings.

Indeed, while the hero of the 2-2 draw with Senegal might have been Takashi Inui - scorer of Japan's first and provider of their second - Shibasaki has a strong claim to having been the team's best player in each of their games so far. And, encouragingly for Nishino, he insists he can play much better.

Korea Republic are last in Group F with two defeats, but if they beat Germany and Sweden lose to Mexico, the Taeguk Warriors may advance to the Round of 16 with Mexico. Germany and Sweden both have one win and one defeat apiece, while Mexico lead the group with two wins.

Korea Republic, whose best performance in the World Cup came on home soil in 2002 where they finished fourth,  know it will be a tough challenge but Shin said they would give it their all.

After the East Asians defeated Colombia 2-1 in their opening fixture of the tournament, coach Akira Nishino named an unchanged side, but Japan fell behind to Sadio Mane’s early strike before Takashi Inui levelled.

Moussa Wague put the West African side back in front but substitute Keisuke Honda rescued a point with 12 minutes remaining as the Samurai Blue and Senegal remained level on points and goal difference at the top of the standings.