Four years after Korea Republic had pipped Japan to the bronze medal at the AFC Asian Cup 2007, beating them 6-5 on penalties in the third-place decider, the eternal rivals locked horns again.

This time, a place in the final was at stake. Doha, which had hosted the first-ever AFC Asian Cup encounter between the two sides back in 1988, was the venue once more.

Suzhou: China PR and India played to a 0-0 draw at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

While India had a couple of chances to score, China PR dominated but failed to convert their superiority into goals.

China PR took control from the first blow of the referee's whistle, forcing India to defend in numbers.

However, it was India who had the first real chance of the match when Sunil Chhetri played the ball to Pronay Halder, who was quick to relay it to Anirudh Thapa.

Thapa sent a perfect pass to the overlapping Pritam Kotal but his shot was well saved by China goalkeeper Yan Junling.

Korea Republic, 55th in the latest FIFA rankings, beat No 5 Uruguay 2-1 in a packed Seoul World Cup Stadium for the Taeguk Warriors' first win against the South American side, having previously only drawn one of their seven matches against them.

Bento said although his players did well, they looked to be rushing in the closing stages of the match which was part of Korea Republic's preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 UAE.

"We played a good quality game," Bento said. "It's a precious win because we got this result against a great team. We know that Uruguay are a very organised team with experienced players."

Korea Republic scored a major win as they beat World No 5 Uruguay 2-1, Japan defeated Panama 3-0, Qatar edged Ecuador 4-3, Palestine overcame Tajikistan on penalties to take the Bangabhandu Gold Cup while Saudi Arabia produced a fighting performance in their 2-0 loss to five-time FIFA World Cup winners Brazil.

The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Executive Committee approved the recommendation to align the AFC’s national teams competitions with the latest amendments to the Laws of the Game (LOTG) announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

The AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The entire Continent is eagerly awaiting Asia’s most prestigious tournament and it is, therefore, essential that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 adopts the latest regulations as we strive to stage a truly unforgettable spectacle.

“I am confident the new regulations will add to the excitement of Asia’s flagship national team competition and further strengthen the AFC’s ambitions to be the world’s leading Confederation.”

Thailand and Syria recorded wins, the United Arab Emirates played to a draw against Honduras while Bahrain, Iraq and Lebanon suffered defeats.

Barcelona: The United Arab Emirates, aiming to impress on home soil, secured a 1-1 draw with Honduras with talisman Omar Abdulrahman's 32nd minute strike giving them a share of the spoils at the Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic in Barcelona.

Honduras had taken an 18th minute lead through Romell Quioto, who scored with a right-footed shot from close range to the top right corner of the UAE net.

UAE fought back and were rewarded when Abdulrahman found the back of the net with a right-footed effort after receiving the ball from Ismaeil Matar.

In the past few weeks you have been voting for the best forwards and midfielders, and now it's time to turn our attention to defenders.

So, here are eight candidates for the spots at the backline. Review the nominees and then choose your favourite defenders for this all-star XI in the poll below.