After missing the 2017 tournament altogether, Palestine's perfect record of three wins from as many matches in Thailand means they are now potentially two wins away from a history-making berth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Hashim is excited by that prospect, and believes his side has the ability to become the seventh Asian nation to appear in the global showpiece.

"I hope (World Cup qualification) happens for us in Palestine," he said.

The 4-3 win over the reigning champions saw Oman top Group D, and announce their credentials as potential Asian champions, but it will count for nothing if they fail to repeat the dose against Bahrain in the last eight.

While understandably pleased with his side's success against Iran, the highly experienced Hilal said the instant elimination that will follow any slip up against Bahrain makes the coming match an even tougher challenge.

A 4-3 defeat to Oman on Tuesday saw the reigning champions slip to second place in Group D, setting up a mouth-watering win-or-go-home clash with Japan, themselves an Asian powerhouse with nine successive appearances at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Iran finished third at the World Cup in 2017, and are currently second in the world rankings, but with the tournament now in its knockout stage, the only certainty in Thursday's match is that one of the Continent's powerhouses will see their campaign come to an early end.

The 75th-ranked Malaysians have advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in history, and now stand just two wins away from an unlikely berth at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay this November.

But standing in their way is an Emirati outfit who were Asian runners-up in 2017, have five FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup appearances under their belt and currently sit 12th in the global rankings.

With the title of Asian champions, and three places at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay, up for grabs, there will plenty on the line when the Continent's top teams go toe to toe in Thursday's blockbuster four-match schedule.

Goals from Thakorn Wikayaphan and Tanandon Praracha sealed the win for Abolfazl Khodabandehloo's team, who finished level with Malaysia on three points, but were unable to progress to the last eight by virtue of their inferior head-to-head record.

It was an opportunity missed for Afghanistan, who squandered the chance to reach the knockout stage to finish bottom of the group on two points.

A hat-trick from Maisara Al Bawwab proved crucial for the Palestinians, who took their group stage tally to a full nine points from three matches, while Malaysia also squeezed through to the last eight thanks to Thailand's later 2-0 win over Afghanistan.

Mohammed Faizal So'od's charges advance due to their superior head-to-head record, with both they and Thailand finishing on three points.

Malaysia will meet Group B winners United Arab Emirates in Thursday's quarter-finals while Palestine will face Lebanon.