Jamal Rashed's last-gasp penalty kick against India gave Bahrain what proved to be a crucial three points, allowing Miroslav Soukup's side to salvage third place in Group A, and qualify for the knockout stage for the first time since reaching the last four in 2004.

While the West Asian side's subsequent campaigns have all ended in the group stage, a final tally of one win, and one win only, has become a constant in their trips to the Continental Finals.

UAE 2019 is the fifth edition of the competition in a row where Bahrain have claimed exactly one win, although their 2004 campaign did also include a penalty shootout success over Uzbekistan after a 2-2 draw in the last eight.

Hosts UAE are hoping to better their 1996 achievement - when they finished runners-up on home soil - by winning the Continental showpiece but Kyrgyz Republic are from satisfied despite having already achieved their initial target of making the knockout stage.

UAE head coach Alberto Zaccheroni, however, believes the hunger and focus he has seen in his squad since they finished top of Group A will result in success against Kyrgyz Republic, who advanced from Group C as one of the four best third-placed teams.

UAE face Kyrgyz Republic in the first of what they hope will be a successful knockout stage and Ahmad said the entire squad is focused on the challenges ahead.

"We know that our fans want us to win the title and the players are also determined to give it our best attempt. We have been working hard since confirming our spot and the fans can be sure of a good performance from us tomorrow," said Ahmad.

UAE are seeking to better their 1996 runners-up finish, when they previously hosted the Continental showpiece.

Although they topped Group A to advance, it was a mixed preliminary campaign with the win over India sandwiched by draws with Bahrain and Thailand.

Ali, who claimed the top scorer award at the AFC U23 Championship in 2018, has been in sensational form throughout the tournament, netting seven times in three matches – including a four-goal haul against DPR Korea – as Qatar claimed top spot in Group E en route to the knockout phase.

With at least one more game still to come, the 22-year-old Al Duhail SC forward’s impressive tally has seen him move to within one strike of the record haul by a player at Asia’s premier event, one which was set by Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei when he scored eight at the 1996 edition, also in the United Arab Emirates.

Leckie, a key member of the Australia team that won the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015, has yet to feature for Arnold’s team at the tournament after joining up with the squad carrying a hamstring injury.

But the Socceroos’ head coach confirmed the 27-year-old would be available for selection in a squad that also welcomes back Josh Risdon from injury and Trent Sainsbury, who was suspended for the win over Syria.

Graham Arnold’s side lost their opening game against the Jordanians before bouncing back to defeat Palestine and then had a late Tom Rogic strike to thank for seeing off Syria to finish second in Group B and book their meeting with Uzbekistan in the Round of 16.

And the Brighton & Hove Albion custodian stresses the opening three games have been a learning experience for him and his teammates as they seek to defend the title won on home soil four years ago.

The Koreans won the AFC Asian Cup in 1956 and 1960 – the first two editions of the competition – but have failed to add a third title to the pair in the 15 instalments of the tournament since.

But the Newcastle United midfielder believes Paulo Bento and his team have the tools to finally bring that run of disappointment to an end in the United Arab Emirates over the coming weeks.