Afghanistan will face the winners of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Japan semi-final, being played later on Thursday, in Saturday's final.

Both sides were making their first appearance in the semi-finals, with Afghanistan maintaining their high tempo style of play to force Indonesia to be on high alert at the Pour Sharifi Indoor Stadium.

Indonesia, however, were far from overawed by Afghanistan’s aggression and the Southeast Asians signalled their intent when Muhammad Rizki Xavier’s shot in the first minute forced goalkeeper Mohammad Javad Safari into action.

Afghanistan, who have stated their aim is to emerge champions, will play Indonesia in the semi-finals on Thursday.

The match was expected to be a cracker as Afghanistan and Thailand were impressive en route to the knockout stage but it was the Southeast Asians who started the brighter and tested goalkeeper Mohammad Javad Safari in the opening minute.

Iran, who are looking to defend the title won in 2017, will face Lebanon in the quarter-finals while Afghanistan will take on Group B winners Thailand on Tuesday.

The win meant Afghanistan are through to the quarter-finals and will face hosts Islamic Republic of Iran on Sunday for the battle for the top spot, while Hong Kong bow out from the tournament.

Afghanistan were in total control in the opening minutes, as they garnered the lion’s share of possession and forced Hong Kong goalkeeper Justin Law Ho Yeung into early action, but the East Asian defence held firm.

Indonesia will face the winners of the Thailand-Afghanistan tie, who play later on Tuesday, in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Indonesian goalkeeper Ahmad Habiebie returned between the posts after serving a one-match ban, but was hardly called into action in the opening minutes as the young Garuda held the lion’s share of possession, but struggled to beat Vietnam custodian Nguyen Tang Dinh.

Vietnam, who were alert in defence, kept Indonesia at bay but an error by Dao Cong Hoang in the seventh minute almost gave their Southeast Asian rivals a head start when Mohammad Afif Rizky dispossessed Cong Hoang in the final third, but Tang Dinh was alert to thwart the danger.

Indonesia will face the Group C runners-up - either Japan or Vietnam - with Iraq to play the group winners.

With their places in the knockout rounds confirmed after both teams had beaten Chinese Taipei, Sunday's tie was to decide the group winners.

The defeat ended Chinese Taipei's campaign as they had lost to 2017 runners-up Iraq 5-2 in their opening tie on Friday. Indonesia will now play Iraq on Sunday to decide the Group D winners.

Knowing they had to win to keep their hopes alive, Chinese Taipei started on the front foot but less than 90 seconds into the match, Indonesia claimed first blood through Mohammad Afif Rizky’s effort, who displayed some impressive dribbling skills before beating Sun Chi-Yuan from outside the box.