Korea Republic and DPR Korea, gold and silver medallists respectively at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, remain on track to meet again in the final on September 1 but both have to navigate past some of Asia's top teams.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the quarter-final match-ups.

Japan will face Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals on Monday.

Group E winners Malaysia were tested from the start by Japan, who applied heavy pressure and dominated possession, but despite the East Asians’ best efforts in final third, the 2017 SEA Games runners-up held a solid defence.

Ong Kim Swee’s charges moved mostly on the counter-attack but a goal eluded them, as Japan’s backline reacted quickly to keep the game goalless going into the break at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium.

The match had ended 2-2 after extra time with UAE winning the shoot-out 4-3. They will play the winners of the Bangladesh-DPR Korea tie in the quarter-finals.

It was action right from the start as UAE had early looks at goal with efforts from Mohammed Almesmari and Rashed Musabbah in the first three minutes, which kept Indonesian goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa busy.

Saudi Arabia were spectacular as they bagged four goals in the first 60 minutes and survived a late Chinese revival to seal a quarter-final match-up with the winners of the Japan-Malaysia tie.

In the opening minutes, Group C winners China flexed their muscles as they held the lion’s share of possession and pressed Saudi Arabia, who came into the Round of 16 tie as one of the best third-placed teams.

However in the 16th minute, a Saudi Arabia counter-attack caught the Chinese backline offguard with Ayman Shafiq Al Khulaif surging down the middle before sending a brilliant through pass to Haroune Moussa Camara and the forward easily beat goalkeeper Chen Wei to claim the lead for his side.

Bangladesh had never reached the knockout stage of the tournament previously and they fell back in their own half from the start against a Korean side who finished runners-up in 2014.

Kim Yu Song drew first blood for DPR Korea with a penalty in the 13th minute and the East Asians almost doubled their tally when Kim Yong Il was denied by the woodwork three minutes later.

Ju Song Il’s men showed their authority on the pitch as Bangladesh were left to chase shadows and it was not long before DPR Korea doubled their advantage through Han Yong Thae in the 38th minute.

The win for Vietnam sets up a semi-final encounter against Syria, who edged Palestine 1-0 earlier on Thursday.

Vietnam, the 2018 AFC U23 Championship runners-up, found it hard to break down their West Asian opponents, who had better chances in front of goal with Mohamed Marhoon testing goalkeeper Ngyuen Van Noang from a free-kick in the 16th minute and again in open play 22 minutes later.

The East Asians’ best chance came after Bahrain were reduced to 10 men in the 42nd minute following Ahmed Sanad’s dismissal but Luong Xuan Truong’s effort did not trouble Bahrain shotstopper Ammar Ahmed as both teams drew a blank at halftime.

The White Wolves’ victory over the East Asians kept their perfect record intact and the 2018 AFC U23 champions will next face Korea Republic, who defeated Islamic Republic of Iran 2-0 in their quarter-final.

Uzbekistan took control of the match and pressured Hong Kong early as Dostonbek Khamdamov and Jaloliddin Masharipov had their shots parried away by goalkeeper Yuen Ho Chun in the first 20 minutes.

However, Ravshan Khaydarov’s men broke Hong Kong’s resistance after Ikromjon Alibaev found the net in the 27th minute to put Uzbekistan in the lead.