IR Iran, seeking to emulate if not better their third-placed finish in the 2016 edition, were always on the front foot against Serbia and will now aim to make it two wins in a row when they play the United States on Sunday.

The win is a boost to Japan in their bid to advance to the knockout stage with the East Asians to face Spain, who defeated Paraguay 4-0 earlier, next on Friday.

After 120 scoreless minutes, a dramatic spot-kick competition saw Ulsan advance when Yoon Bit-garam netted the final penalty after Jo had saved Akihiro Ienaga’s attempt. 

The outcome of the game hung in the balance throughout penalties, with Kawasaki’s Tatsuya Hasegawa firing over the bar before Won Du-jae followed suit for Ulsan and Jung Sung-ryong saved from Lee Dong-jun. 

But Joao Schmidt shot off target for Kawasaki in the third round and Jo’s save of Ienaga’s effort – diving to his left to deny the veteran midfielder – set up Yoon to win the game and keep Ulsan’s hopes of back-to-back titles alive.

First half goals from Brazilians Cesinha and Edgar Silva looked set to take Daegu into Friday’s draw for the last eight, but the powerful Pole had other ideas as he almost single-handedly dragged the Japanese side past the K-League club.

 Having netted in the 12th minute to cancel out Cesinha’s opener, Swierczok struck twice in two second half minutes to give the Japanese side the lead after Edgar Silva’s earlier header, while Nagoya captain Shinnosuke Nakatani put the result beyond doubt 11 minutes from time.

The match pits one of continental club football’s most successful sides up against a team that only made their AFC Champions League debut in the group stage in June as the tournament moves into its one-leg knockout stage format.

While Jeonbuk are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the ninth time, BG Pathum are looking to become the first Thai side to advance to the last eight since Buriram United in 2013.

The 2014 edition was also the setting of the last time the two sides met in Asian action with the pair facing off in the group stage.

Japan’s Cerezo, who reached the 2011 quarter-finals, are participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and 2009 winners Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic are making their eighth appearance and looking to reach the last eight stage for the third time.