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.

With the Round of 16 fixtures due to get underway on Sunday, tournament regulations state: If no winner is determined at the end of 90 minutes, extra-time comprising two fifteen-minute periods shall be played at the end of normal playing time during the knockout stage.

The regulations go on to say, and in a first for the AFC Asian Cup, that one additional substitute may be used when a match goes into extra-time (whether or not the team has already used full number of permitted substitutes).

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.

With the opening phase of the competition now complete, the-AFC.com looks at some of the statistical leaders, and numerical highlights of the AFC Asian Cup's opening two weeks.

But just who has been the best performer overall?

We want you to have your say, vote in our poll below to decide which of the following 10 players you think has been the best performer of the group stage.

In the 36 matches played in the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, we have seen 96 goals scored - 2.67 per match - and some of them truly memorable strikes. Here are our selected 10 for you to review and judge which is your best.

Almoez Ali scored twice to take his tally for the tournament to an impressive seven, as the Qataris recorded a third successive victory, a run of form that has yet to see them concede.

However, despite the flying start, Sanchez is adamant that Qatar’s impressive record will count for nothing come the knockout phase.