UAE face Kyrgyz Republic in the first of what they hope will be a successful knockout stage and Ahmad said the entire squad is focused on the challenges ahead.

"We know that our fans want us to win the title and the players are also determined to give it our best attempt. We have been working hard since confirming our spot and the fans can be sure of a good performance from us tomorrow," said Ahmad.

UAE are seeking to better their 1996 runners-up finish, when they previously hosted the Continental showpiece.

Although they topped Group A to advance, it was a mixed preliminary campaign with the win over India sandwiched by draws with Bahrain and Thailand.

Hosts UAE are hoping to better their 1996 achievement - when they finished runners-up on home soil - by winning the Continental showpiece but Kyrgyz Republic are from satisfied despite having already achieved their initial target of making the knockout stage.

UAE head coach Alberto Zaccheroni, however, believes the hunger and focus he has seen in his squad since they finished top of Group A will result in success against Kyrgyz Republic, who advanced from Group C as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Leckie, a key member of the Australia team that won the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015, has yet to feature for Arnold’s team at the tournament after joining up with the squad carrying a hamstring injury.

But the Socceroos’ head coach confirmed the 27-year-old would be available for selection in a squad that also welcomes back Josh Risdon from injury and Trent Sainsbury, who was suspended for the win over Syria.

Graham Arnold’s side lost their opening game against the Jordanians before bouncing back to defeat Palestine and then had a late Tom Rogic strike to thank for seeing off Syria to finish second in Group B and book their meeting with Uzbekistan in the Round of 16.

And the Brighton & Hove Albion custodian stresses the opening three games have been a learning experience for him and his teammates as they seek to defend the title won on home soil four years ago.

Ali, who claimed the top scorer award at the AFC U23 Championship in 2018, has been in sensational form throughout the tournament, netting seven times in three matches – including a four-goal haul against DPR Korea – as Qatar claimed top spot in Group E en route to the knockout phase.

With at least one more game still to come, the 22-year-old Al Duhail SC forward’s impressive tally has seen him move to within one strike of the record haul by a player at Asia’s premier event, one which was set by Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei when he scored eight at the 1996 edition, also in the United Arab Emirates.

But just who has been the best performer overall?

We want you to have your say, vote in our poll below to decide which of the following 10 players you think has been the best performer of the group stage.

In the 36 matches played in the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, we have seen 96 goals scored - 2.67 per match - and some of them truly memorable strikes. Here are our selected 10 for you to review and judge which is your best.