In an all Southeast Asian affair at the Bangkok Arena, Malaysia needed nothing less than a win to secure a spot in the last eight after their 4-2 defeat to Chinese Taipei, while Vietnam only had to avoid defeat.

The two teams were equally matched in their speed and movements, but it was clear that Vietnam respected their rivals and played more defensively, looking to pounce on Malaysia’s mistakes.

Vietnam finally broke the deadlock, with Do Thi Nguyen opening the scoring 17 minutes into the game.

In the 18th minute, Vietnam kept Malaysia’s defenders eparated with their long range passes across the court and eventually Nguyen Thi Thanh dashed forward on the left flank before setting up Nguyen Thi Thanh for a fine finish from close range.

However, Malaysia showed that they were still looking for a win, and a minute later Zurain Kamarudin positioned herself in the thick of the Vietnamese backline to receive Siti Nur Atiqah Rashid’s corner kick, where she made no mistake from close range to reduce the deficit.

Chang Yao-ming’s side had too much class for their young opponents, scoring four first half goals in a win which sets up a last eight clash against the winners of Group A at the same venue on Wednesday.

With their progression to the second round looking likely going into the match, Chinese Taipei made a dream start when Bangladesh goalkeeper Rupna Chakma deflected Chung Yi-hsuan’s cross into her own net in the first minute.

They doubled the lead two minutes later when Lin Ya-hui was given far too much time and space, and took full advantage by slamming ball into the roof of the net from five metres.

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN v UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan’s 3-1 win over Turkmenistan was cause for celebration for Avaz Maksumov’s side, as they secured safe passage to the knockout stage, but the head coach will surely rue the chaotic series of events that occurred in the final moments.

With goalkeeper Laylo Tilovova already having been shown a red card in the first half, replacement shot-stopper Maftna Jonimqulova was disastrously also given her marching orders for handling the ball outside the penalty area just two seconds before full time.

It means Uzbekistan must now face reigning champions Iran, who scored 14 goals in their first match, without their top two goalkeepers, and Maksumov conceded he may need to alter his approach.

JAPAN v CHINA PR

China PR were tested at times by Bahrain on Matchday One, but delivered an excellent performance to defeat Lebanon 6-0 on Saturday, in a result that secured their appearance in the knockout stage.

They can now win Group C, and avoid a quarter-final against Islamic Republic of Iran, if they are able to surprise 2015 finalists and East Asian rivals Japan, but Chinese captain Wang Ting said she doesn’t mind who she plays.

“We don’t think too much about who our opponent will be, we think about our own team. We will always try our best but we focus on ourselves,” she said.

“We didn’t think we could get six goals (against Lebanon) but we did it, so I believe anything is possible and we will give our all.”