UAE emerged as group winners, and sealed direct qualification to Thailand 2020, after a dramatic finale between two of West Asia's football heavyweights ended 1-1.

Goals to UAE's Zayed Al Ameri and Saudi Arabia's Saad Al Sululi meant the sides couldn't be separated on the night, with UAE's superior goal difference confirming their status as table-toppers.

While Saudi Arabia were unable to claim the win they needed to top the group, they did enough to secure the 16th and final place in the Finals, scraping in as the fourth-best runners-up ahead of Tajikistan.

PALESTINE 0-2 BAHRAIN

Entering the match level on points and goal difference, both sides knew a win in the final match at Khalifa Sports City Stadium would guarantee progression to Thailand 2020, and a suitably hard-fought contest followed.

A tense first half brought plenty of action, but no goals, as both sides were denied by the woodwork, and Bahrain nearly forced a Mohamed Jassim Marhoon corner kick over the line three minutes into the second period.

IRAQ 0-0 IR IRAN

Iran entered their final Group F tie knowing a draw wouldn't be enough as they were trailing on goal difference after being tied on six points with Iraq.

However, Iraq gave the Central Asians no leverage as they the game to Iran at the Azadi Stadium.

In a three-team Group F, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were level on three points each after beating India in their opening fixture, but the young White Wolves were ahead on a better goal difference.

Tajikistan had never made it out of the Qualifiers in their three previous attempts, but were hoping to make a difference this time around as they set out against the defending champions at the Pakhtakor Stadium.

SINGAPORE 3-1 MONGOLIA

Singapore came into the match knowing that they had to secure a win if they wanted to finish top two in the group after they had played to 1-1 draws in their first two fixtures, but they had the worst possible of starts against Mongolia.

KOREA REPUBLIC 2-2 AUSTRALIA

The match was intense from the referee's first blow of the whistle, as both teams knew that a win would mean qualification to the Finals.

With both teams on six points, Korea Republic had the advantage of a better goal difference which meant pressure on Australia to make up the difference and they did not disappoint.

JAPAN 7-0 MYANMAR

The win gave Japan maximum points as they topped the Group I table while Myanmar settled for second.

The young Samurai Blue raced off the blocks and quickly settled into the game with two goals in 10 minutes from Daizen Maeda.

Japan could have made it three at the 15th minute mark but Maeda missed his effort from close range as Myanmar scrambled at the back.