Khalil came off the bench to seal the win by converting a penalty in the 103rd minute of an absorbing encounter, the second time he has rescued his side following the 27-year-old’s successful spot-kick in the final moments of the UAE’s 1-1 draw with Bahrain on Matchday One.

The victory helped set up an intriguing quarter-final tie with Australia, with Khalil eager to reflect on the importance of the UAE’s hard-fought victory against tournament debutants Kyrgyz Republic.

Khalil’s 103rd minute penalty proved the difference on a night when the UAE had twice gone ahead only to be pegged back by their resilient Central Asian opponents.

The 27-year-old’s spot-kick success was his second of the competition following his penalty in the final moments of the UAE’s 1-1 draw with Bahrain on Matchday One.

In truth, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side struggled for large periods of a game which saw Khalil’s success from 12 yards seal their progress only after Kyrgyz Republic had twice come from behind following Khamis Esmaeel’s early opener at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium.

On a night when tournament debutants Kyrgyz Republic shone brightly, the UAE’s victory sets up a quarter-final showdown with Australia in Al Ain on Friday, and maintained Emirati hopes of claiming a first-ever Continental crown.

Speaking exclusively to the-AFC.com, the rising defensive star discussed the arrival of Son Heung-min, the valuable lessons of an Asian Games gold medal, and his lofty ambitions for the tournament ahead of his side's quarter-final clash with Bahrain.

Ryan kept out spot-kicks from Islom Tukhtakhujaev and Dostonbek Khamdamov as Australia won the shootout 4-2 following a goalless draw at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium to set up a last eight meeting with hosts the United Arab Emirates.

Arnold was quick to praise the 26-year-old, who was instrumental in Australia’s title win on home soil four years ago and is proving to be just as vital to his team’s hopes at the current tournament.

Haijme Moriyasu’s team opted to play defensively and it was a move that paid off for the Samurai Blue as they kept their bid for a record-extending fifth Continental title on track.

Japan’s win came courtesy of Takehiro Tomiyasu’s header in the 20th minute but they found themselves defending for the major part of the match.

However, Moriyasu’s men held off the West Asians to earn a spot in the quarter-finals where they will face Park Hang-seo’s Vietnam on Thursday.

Iran beat Oman 2-0 on Sunday to claim their place in the last eight, an impressive display which followed goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand’s superb penalty save in the opening moments of the game.

While grateful for his towering custodian’s contribution, Queiroz believes the unwavering unity which exists within the Iranian squad was, however, just as decisive a factor.