With Group C winners Thailand defeating Vietnam in the group's other game, Kyrgyzstan needed only to avoid defeat and they did just that to set up a match with Japan in the last eight on Thursday.

Dilshat Kadyrov put Kyrgyzstan ahead in the first minute and though Jeong Eui-hyun levelled just two minutes later, Gulbek Abdurazakov regained the lead for Amirzhan Mukanov's side in the 12th minute.

The Koreans once again fought back nine minutes into the second half when Seok Dae-sung found the back of the net but Kyrgyzstan responded a minute later through Azamat Mendibaev.

Jeong again pulled Korea Republic level in the 33rd minute and though Mendibaev thought he had secured all three points for Kyrgyzstan with a goal in the 39th minute, Jeong fired home at the death to complete his hat-trick and claim a first point of the tournament for his side.

Meanwhile, already qualified Thailand made it three wins from three with a 5-2 victory over South East Asia rivals Vietnam at Uzbekistan Sports Complex.

Suphawut Thueanklang opened the scoring in the third minute before Nguyen Quoc Bao equalised after nine minutes.

Suphawut scored again two minutes later before goals from Na-tee Thusiri and Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn and a Trong Quoc Tuan own goal put further daylight between the two sides.

Quoc Tuan made amends for his earlier error to reduce the deficit with five minutes remaining but it was not enough to deny victory for Thailand.