The match had ended 2-2 after extra time with UAE winning the shoot-out 4-3. They will play the winners of the Bangladesh-DPR Korea tie in the quarter-finals.

It was action right from the start as UAE had early looks at goal with efforts from Mohammed Almesmari and Rashed Musabbah in the first three minutes, which kept Indonesian goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa busy.

Saudi Arabia were spectacular as they bagged four goals in the first 60 minutes and survived a late Chinese revival to seal a quarter-final match-up with the winners of the Japan-Malaysia tie.

In the opening minutes, Group C winners China flexed their muscles as they held the lion’s share of possession and pressed Saudi Arabia, who came into the Round of 16 tie as one of the best third-placed teams.

However in the 16th minute, a Saudi Arabia counter-attack caught the Chinese backline offguard with Ayman Shafiq Al Khulaif surging down the middle before sending a brilliant through pass to Haroune Moussa Camara and the forward easily beat goalkeeper Chen Wei to claim the lead for his side.

Japan will face Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals on Monday.

Group E winners Malaysia were tested from the start by Japan, who applied heavy pressure and dominated possession, but despite the East Asians’ best efforts in final third, the 2017 SEA Games runners-up held a solid defence.

Ong Kim Swee’s charges moved mostly on the counter-attack but a goal eluded them, as Japan’s backline reacted quickly to keep the game goalless going into the break at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium.

Bangladesh had never reached the knockout stage of the tournament previously and they fell back in their own half from the start against a Korean side who finished runners-up in 2014.

Kim Yu Song drew first blood for DPR Korea with a penalty in the 13th minute and the East Asians almost doubled their tally when Kim Yong Il was denied by the woodwork three minutes later.

Ju Song Il’s men showed their authority on the pitch as Bangladesh were left to chase shadows and it was not long before DPR Korea doubled their advantage through Han Yong Thae in the 38th minute.