Japan maintained their pursuit of a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title on Wednesday by advancing to the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Bahrain.

The pre-tournament favourites have bounced back from a surprise 2-1 loss against Iraq in the group stage and will play Iran in the next round.

Goals from Ritsu Doan, Takefusa Kubo and Ayase Ueda secured Japan's place in the last eight, while Zion Suzuki's own goal was the only consolation for Bahrain.

Japan went ahead in the 31st minute when Seiya Maikuma's long-range shot came back off the post and Doan converted on the rebound.

Kubo doubled the lead four minutes into the second half when he spun and finished from close range.

The Japan goalkeeper then tried to catch the ball, but collided with Ayase, who was attempting to head clear off the goal-line and the ball was fumbled into the net.

Ayase restored Japan's two-goal advantage eight minutes later when firing low at the near post to beat Bahrain keeper Ebrahim Lutfalla.

Three-time champions Iran later needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Syria, one of the tournament's surprise packages.

Down to 10-men after Mehdi Taremi was sent off in time added on, Iran eventually won 5-3 on spot-kicks at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. The game ended 1-1 after extra time.

Taremi fired Iran ahead with a penalty in the 34th after he had been fouled by Aiham Ousou.

Syria then equalised from the spot through Omar Khrbin in the 64th minute after Pablo Sabbag was brought down by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Syria were playing in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time and were given an advantage when Taremi was sent off in the first minute of stoppage time for a second bookable offence.

In the shoot-out, Beiranvand's save from Fahd Youssef proved the decisive moment as Iran converted all of their spot kicks. It is the eighth time in a row that Iran have advanced to the quarter-finals.

Palestine and Syria advanced to the last 16 of the Asian Cup for the first time on a historic day for the tournament.

After Syria had overcome India 1-0 to book their progression from Group B, Palestine claimed their maiden Asian Cup victory by beating Hong Kong 3-0 to make it out of Group C.

Both teams – whose home nations are in the midst of conflicts – will progress as two of the four best third-placed sides.

Oday Dabbagh scored twice for Palestine, with Zeid Qunbar getting their other goal, in their emphatic victory at Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Stadium.

While Iran's 2-1 win over the United Arab Emirates in Tuesday's other Group C match was not enough to see Palestine through in second place, their progress was nevertheless sealed thanks to their improved goal difference over the other teams that either have, or may, finish third in their groups.

Both Iran and UAE join Palestine in progressing to the next round.

Mehdi Taremi scored both of Iran's goals in their victory, with Yahya Al Ghassani missing a penalty for UAE before grabbing a late consolation.

Syria, meanwhile, made it through thanks to Omar Khrbin's 77th-minute winner against India at Al Bayt Stadium.

Khrbin's decisive strike was Syria's only goal from their three group games.

Syria had failed to advance from the group stage in any of their previous six attempts.

Progress is a triumph for Argentine coach Hector Cuper, who was a back-to-back Champions League runner-up when in charge of Valencia. He also led Egypt to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017.

Australia advanced as the Group B winner after drawing with Uzbekistan 1-1.

The 2015 champions had already secured a place in the round of 16 after two straight wins, and they confirmed top spot after picking up a point at Al Janoub Stadium.

Martin Boyle fired the Socceroos ahead from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after a handball from Odiljon Xamrobekov. 

But Uzbekistan held onto second place in the group thanks to a goal from substitute Azizbek Turgunboev, who rose to meet Jaloliddin Masharipov's cross in the 78th minute.

Jackson Irvine delivered again as Australia booked their place in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup on Thursday by beating Syria 1-0.

The midfielder scored for the second straight game to maintain the Socceroos' 100% start in Group B.

Australia won the title when hosting the tournament in 2015 and top the group on six points.

Irvine struck the winner when he turned inside the area and flicked a shot past Syria goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh in the 59th minute at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. He had scored the opening goal in his team's 2-0 win against India on Matchday One.

The closest Syria came to scoring was when Pablo Sabbag fired powerfully against the post early on.

In the second match of the day, Uzbekistan put themselves in position to join Australia in the next round after a 3-0 win against bottom team India.

Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Igor Sergeev and Sherzod Nasrullaev all scored in the first half to effectively seal the win before the break.

There is still plenty to play for in the group. Second-placed Uzbekistan are on four points going into their final game against Australia on Tuesday and would go top with a win. A draw would be enough to guarantee they advance as runners-up.

Syria could also move onto four points if they beat India. That might be enough to see it progress to the next stage as one of the best third-placed teams, even if they do not overtake Uzbekistan.

It has been a poor start for India, but there is still a chance they could advance as one of the best third-place teams if they are able to beat Syria.

In the final contest on Thursday, there was a 1-1 draw between Palestine and the United Arab Emirates, who played for more than half of the match with 10 men.

The draw for the UAE opens the door for Iran to move clear at the top of Group C if they can defeat Hong Kong on Friday.

Australia are up and running in the Asian Cup after second-half goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos broke India's resistance and secured a 2-0 win.

The 2015 champions are out to reclaim the title in Qatar and were given an early test against a stubborn opponent and a raucous crowd at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Australia dominated the Group B match, but struggled to find a way through India's determined defence until goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu failed to claim a high cross from Martin Boyle five minutes after the break and Irvine pounced to fire home from close range.

Bos, a substitute, had only been on the field for a minute when he converted Riley McGree's low cross at the far post to double the lead in the 73rd.

"We can improve on everything and the boys know that," Australia coach Graham Arnold said. "We have our standards and I have high expectations of the players and their performances and those expectations and standards need to be met."

The match was the first in the history of the Asian Cup to be officiated by a female referee, with Japan's Yoshimi Yamashita in charge.

Australia are two points clear at the top of Group B thanks to a 0-0 draw between Uzbekistan and Syria.

Uzbekistan are hoping to be the main challenger to Australia, but they failed to make their pressure count at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium.

Syria looked to have taken the lead in the second half through Ibrahim Hesar, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

In Saturday's early match, Tajikistan, making their Asian Cup debut, held China to a 0-0 draw in Group A.

Alisher Dzhalilov came close to putting Tajikistan ahead in the first half, while China's Liu Binbin had a shot cleared off the line after the break and Zhu Chenjie saw a goal ruled out by VAR.

Reigning champions Qatar top Group A after a 3-0 win over Lebanon on Friday.