The 1-0 loss to Mongolia left Kyrgyz Republic with an uphill task to finish second in the standings, while fourth-placed Myanmar are looking to put in an improved performance from when they were comprehensively beaten 10-0 by hosts Japan on May 28.

With Syria having secured the top spot which carries qualification to the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, China's hopes of joining the Southeast Asians lies in them grabbing one of the five berths available for the best-placed runners-up from the eight groups.

The Philippines take on Guam looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss at the hands of China PR that fatally damaged their hopes of claiming the runners-up position in Group A as Scott Cooper’s side slipped to six points behind Li Tie’s team.

While the Azkals can mathematically outstrip the Chinese, the chances are beyond remote with the Philippines needing to win their two remaining games by huge margins while China PR must lose heavily to both the Maldives and Syria in their final matches.

Victory will also confirm their ticket to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals but should Graham Arnold's men stumble against Nepal, they will still seal top spot in Group B should the Kuwait-Jordan tie later on Friday end in a stalemate.

Iraq will head into the matchday leading on 14 points, two ahead of Iran who are in second on goal difference in front of Bahrain.

Hong Kong are fourth with five points, with Cambodia head into their final match of the campaign with just one point from seven matches.

Leading the group with a two-point margin, hosts Saudi Arabia will aim to extend their unbeaten run to seven games with a repeat of their Matchday Three win against Singapore.

Hot on their trails, Uzbekistan are in pursuit of a third consecutive win and securing the three points against Yemen could be their only way to go into the final matchday with a chance of finishing top.

Oman, second in the standings with 12 points, are still in the running for a place in the final round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 as one of the best five second-placed teams.

Fourth-placed Afghanistan must win their next two matches to finish third in Group E and earn automatic qualification into the final round qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

After a long battle with cancer Yoo – who was an integral part of the the Korea Republic side that reached the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on home soil, and scored in their opening-day win over Poland – died on Monday.

As the Taeguk Warriors continued their quest to reach the first FIFA World Cup in Asia since those heady days in 2002 by easing past Sri Lanka in the Asian Qualifiers, Portuguese coach Bento was keen to recognise a true legend of Korea football.