South Korea, runners-up to Australia at the 2015 edition of the tournament, needed extra-time to overcome Bahrain 2-1 at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.

Qatar continued their progression, which bodes well for their appearance at their debut World Cup on home soil in three years' time, with a narrow 1-0 win over Iraq at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Qatari side will take on South Korea in the quarter-finals on Friday (January 25).

The two-time champions began their clash with Bahrain on the front foot but were met by stern resilience from the Bahrain defence.

Hwang Hee-chan eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, scoring from close range to edge South Korea in front.

South Korea were unable to find a second and Bahrain took advantage, levelling with 13 minutes to go through Mohamed Saad Alromaihi.

Substitute Kim Jin-su's introduction into the match proved crucial as he came off the bench to head home the extra-time winner to send his side through to the last eight.

Qatar await for South Korea after the next World Cup host nation edged a tight encounter with Iraq, the 2007 winners.

The match was settled by Bassam Al Rawi's superb free-kick 17 minutes into the second-half as he curled a well-placed effort into the corner of the net.

Victory for Qatar maintains their pursuit of a first Asian Cup crown, while defeat ended Iraq's attempt at claiming the continental title for the first time since they lifted the trophy 12 years ago.