The result was a blow for Nepal, who looked good value for the three points. The hosts, however, stayed top of the standings with four points after having defeated Bhutan 4-0 on Tuesday.

Maldives, meanwhile, registered their second consecutive draw as they came from behind to salvage a point against Bangladesh.

Bhutan and Bangladesh started on a cautious note with limited chances at both ends in the first half at the Dasharath Rangasala Stadium .

Bhutan's Chencho Gyeltshen, however, found the opening his side was desperate for in the 65th minute and it would prove to be the winning goal.

The 26-year-old is the first-ever Australian to finish top in Korea Republic’s top tier – netting a stunning 20 goals in his 33 appearances in his debut season with Suwon Bluewings.

It marks the second time he has been recognised as the top marksman in domestic top flight competition, after winning the A-League’s Golden Boot in the 2013/14 season with Newcastle Jets.

DPR Korea, who defeated Lebanon and Sri Lanka in the Asian Qualifiers, jumped five places to 113th in the world in the FIFA Ranking released on Thursday..

Yemen (137th), Singapore (157th) and Nepal (161st) also improved their respective rankings by five spots.

Bahrain (105), Tajikistan (115) and Mongolia (183) each moved up four spots.

Qualifying action for the two premier competitions will resume on March 26 as the players - depending on where they play their club football - either return to their teams or get some much needed break.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at five talking points at this stage of a thrilling Asian Qualifiers.

Syria made it five wins from five to seize control of Group A as the West Asians will take a whopping eight-point lead into 2020 after defeating Philippines 1-0.

Turkmenistan will also head into the new year as Group H leaders, with their 1-0 win over Sri Lanka and the Lebanon-DPR Korea tie ending in a goalless stalemate giving the Central Asian side a one-point lead.

The Asian Qualifiers will resume on March 26.