China PR frustrate Jankovic; Qatar's understudies please Lopez

The loss at Khalifa International Stadium has pushed the Chinese to the cusp of elimination, with Jankovic and his team now awaiting the outcome of the remaining group matches to determine whether they will progress to the next round.

With China finishing third in Group A behind winners Qatar and runners-up Tajikistan, the east Asians must now see if India can hold Syria to a goalless draw and Palestine share the points with Hong Kong, China to provide them with a chance of staying in the competition.

The Qatari captain came off the bench to smash a spectacular volley from 20 yards past the helpless Yan Junling in the 66th minute and maintain the much-changed defending champions’ perfect start to the campaign and stretch their AFC Asian Cup winning run to 10 matches, dating back to their 2019 title triumph.

Jankovic’s side needed a win to be certain of advancing to the last 16 but, after failing to find the back of the net in their opening games against Tajikistan and Lebanon, the Chinese once again misfired in attack with their fate now out of their hands.

The UAE currently sit second in the group with four points to their name, but a defeat at Education City Stadium and other results going against them could see Bento's men exit the competition in the group stage for the first time since 2011.

After a convincing 3-1 win over Hong Kong, China in their opening fixture, the UAE were held to a 1-1 draw against Palestine in a game they finished with 10 men after defender Khalifa Al Hammadi was sent-off in the 37th minute. Bento also received a red card just before the final whistle, meaning he will be suspended for the Iran clash.