Bahrain topped Group E with six points after impressing in their final group game against Jordan, in the AFC Asian Cup, at the Khalifa International Stadium, after Yusuf struck 11 minutes before halftime to earn them their second win in three games.
With six points, they top the standings ahead of South Korea and the Jordanians, who have also qualified. Bahrain’s victory means that they will be taking on four-time champions and favourites Japan, at Al Thumama Stadium, next week.
It meant that South Korea finished second, after Malaysia held them to a 3-3 draw after their dramatic equaliser - after 15 minutes into added time. It was Abdulla Yusuf who hit the only goal of the game for the group favourites, which confirmed their place at the top, whist South Korea, who were originally top tips to finish on top, were confirmed in second place.
Jordan, third with four points, also went through as one of the best third-placed teams. Saudi Arabia, who already qualified for the last-16, topped Group F after they were held to a goalless draw by Thailand while Oman failed to advance after a 1-1 draw with Kyrgyzstan.
For Indonesia, who finished with three points in Group D, they advanced for the first time with a better record as a third-placed team along with Syria, Palestine and Jordan. The Saudis will now face South Korea in the last 16, whose coach, Juergen Klinsmann, had to emphasize that they (South Korea) didn’t deliberately finish second to avoid what could have been a massive encounter with Group D runners-up Japan.
"We didn't want to avoid Japan, it definitely wasn't our plan to concede three goals today,” Klinsmann said, after the clash. “We wanted to go through in first place, that was our goal.
"Malaysia played with a lot of heart and you have to give them credit but we should have won this game."
