Lebanon still has a chance as Qatar advances to Asian Cup knockout stages

Host and defending champion Qatar became the first team to advance to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup tournament on Wednesday after a 1-0 win against Tajikistan.

Akram Afif scored his third goal in two games to secure victory at Al Bayt Stadium and ensure Qatar goes through as Group A winner.

It is all a far cry from the World Cup when, as host, Qatar exited the competition at the group stage after three straight losses.

After back-to-back draws, China likely needs at least a point against Qatar to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage.

A 0-0 draw with Lebanon left both nations' hopes of reaching the round of 16 in the balance.

China was a quarterfinalist in each of the last two Asian Cups and is second in Group A on two points. But it has the daunting task of facing Qatar in its final game and is at risk of being overtaken by Lebanon or Tajikistan.

"We know that we depend on ourselves and that is something that every team would like to be in that position before the last game," China coach Aleksandar Jankovic said. "No matter (if) we play against a host country ... Qatar with their World Cup experience, we still depend on ourselves and I always like to be in this kind of situation."

Lebanon hit the woodwork twice and China saw an effort cleared off the line at Al Thumama Stadium.

Lebanon lost 3-0 to Qatar in its opening game and is bottom of the group with one point, but still has a chance to progress. Lebanon, China and Tajikistan could still advance as runner-up or one of the best third-place teams..

"It's a very important point for us especially after a tough defeat against Qatar," Lebanon coach Miodrag Radulovic said. "We hit two posts, but unfortunately we didn't score again. I'm satisfied with this point because we are still in the game to the end for the next round."

Hassan Maatouk and Hasan Srour hit the bar for Lebanon either side of halftime.

Wu Lei thought he'd broken the deadlock for China in the 65th minute, but his close-range range shot was hooked off the line.

China came close to scoring in the first half when Lebanon goalkeeper Mostafa Matar twice denied Zhang Yuning in one threatening attack.

Substitute Lin Liangming should have been more clinical late in the match, but headed wide when unmarked right in front of goal.