The two sides enter Wednesday's clash at Rashid Stadium still looking for their first ever points in the competition, but both know a win will provide a realistic chance of reaching the knockout stage as one of the four highest-ranked third-placed teams.

While three points would, for 24 hours at least, keep either side's hopes alive, the consequences of defeat - instant elimination - couldn't be clearer, and Krestinin said his side was focused only on themselves.

The Celtic midfielder struck from 25 yards to finally beat a determined Syrian side, who looked set to secure a point for new coach Fajr Ebrahim and his team, and maintain their slim hopes of a place in the next phase.

But Rogic’s goal not only ensured Australia progressed to the next round in second place in Group B but also eliminated the Syrians, who finished bottom of the group after Palestine picked up a point in their meeting with Jordan.

Syria looked set to earn a draw after twice coming from behind to level, with Omar Khrbin cancelling out Awer Mabil’s opener and Omar Al Soma netting from the penalty spot after Chris Ikonomidis had put Australia back in front.

The stalemate made it seven points from nine for Jordan – quarter-finalists in 2004 and 2011 – as they finished top of the Group B standings to set up a Round of 16 meeting with the third-placed team from either Group A, C or D in Dubai.

With Australia dramatically beating Syria in the group’s other game, a gallant Palestine duly finished third on two points, some four points behind runners-up Australia but crucially one ahead of fourth-placed Syria.

The East Asian sides go into the clash with perfect records, having beaten Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines in their earlier matches, and a draw would mean China PR topping the group on goal difference.

Both nations are likely to rotate their teams with the knockout stage looming but the aim, said China PR head coach Marcello Lippi and Paulo Bento - his Korea Republic counterpart - will still be to win.

Both teams have yet to earn a point in the Continental showpiece with Vietnam having the higher chance of qualifying as one of the best four third-placed teams - based on a better goal difference.

Park is well aware of the task faced by his Vietnam team but the Korea Republic national is confident of landing all three points against Yemen.

Both sides booked their place in the Round of 16 after wins over Yemen and Vietnam, with Iran currently ahead on goal difference.

Iraq have also been impressive, coming back from a goal down twice to beat Vietnam 3-2 in their group opener, before confirming their spot in the knockout phase with an emphatic 3-0 win over Yemen.

Thitiphan Puangjan scored four minutes before the half-time break to cancel out Ali Mabkhout’s seventh minute opener for Alberto Zaccheroni’s side to ensure the teams shared the points at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in their Group A clash on Monday.

That meant the UAE finished on top with Thailand second ahead of Bahrain thanks to their superior head-to-head record over the West Asians, who claimed a late win over India to also book their place in the Round of 16.