Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Korea Republic means Team Melli Omid must beat eliminated China PR on Wednesday, and hope the Koreans beat Uzbekistan on the other side of the country, if they are to have any chance of continuing their campaign into a second week.

Early elimination would dash Iran’s hopes of ending their much-discussed 44-year Olympic football qualification drought, and Shojaei told the-AFC.com he has no intention of giving up on his Tokyo dream until the chance is gone.

Team Melli Omid created early chances, but the Koreans took full control of the first half from the 20-minute mark onwards, controlling proceedings and scoring goals through Lee Dong-jun and Cho Gue-sung to take a 2-0 half-time lead.

Reza Shekari pulled a goal back after the interval, but it was a case of too little, too late for Iran, who must now overturn a three-point deficit to second placed Uzbekistan on Matchday Three if they are to salvage a place in the knockout stage.

First half goals from Lee Dong-jun and Cho Gue-sung gave Kim Hak-bum’s side a two-goal half-time buffer, but Reza Shekari’s effort nine minutes after the interval meant the Koreans had to negotiate a difficult period in order to extend their winning start to the competition.

Their perfect tally of six points from two matches means they are sure to advance to the knockout stage no matter what happens in Wednesday’s match against Uzbekistan, while Iran’s hopes of ending a 44-year Olympic qualification drought now weighs heavily on their final group stage fixture against China PR.

After 2016 runners-up Korea Republic sealed their progress on Matchday Two, seven of the eight knockout spots are still to be confirmed.

Ahead of the action, join the-AFC.com as we take a detailed look at exactly who needs what in order to go through and move one step closer to Continental glory and a place at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Dali has been Syria’s super-sub in Thailand 2020, coming off the bench in their group opener against Qatar to help salvage a 2-2 draw, and was on target again when his incredible run from the half-line mark ended with him slotting past Japanese goalkeeper Keisuke Osako to ensure a 2-1 win on Sunday. 

Their victory over the 2016 champions propelled Syria to the top of the group, and a win over Saudi Arabia will assure them a first appearance in the quarter-finals since the inaugural edition in 2013-14.

Arnold’s team followed up an opening round draw against Iraq with a 2-1 win over tournaments hosts Thailand and those results mean a point will be enough to secure a last eight berth for the Australians.

After coming from behind on Matchdays One and Two to secure draws against both Australia and Bahrain, Iraq head into the encounter knowing that a win would take them through to the last eight at the expense of the hosts.