With one round of matches remaining in the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup 2007, there is still plenty to play for with 14 teams in contention for eight places in the quarter-finals of Asia’s premier international football tournament.

After 16 enthralling games, little has been decided other than the fact that two teams - United Arab Emirates and co-hosts Malaysia – have been eliminated.

Of the other 14 that entered the tournament, not one team had managed to book their place in the last eight as of Sunday, creating plenty of interesting permutations for the final round of group matches.

GROUP A
There is an interesting situation in Group A where Thailand and Iraq are in pole position with four points apiece but Australia and Oman still have legitimate chances of reaching the last eight.

A win or a draw for the Thais against Australia and the Iraqis against Oman would send the two sides through to the quarter-finals but the situation could be complicated if either Australia or Oman win on Monday.

First-timers Australia have disappointed so far with a draw against Oman and defeat to Iraq but a victory by any margin against the co-hosts would put them into the quarter-finals as Group A runners-up if Iraq are not beaten by the Omanis.

Similarly, Oman would progress if they defeat Iraq by any margin and Thailand do not lose to the Socceroos.

But there would be further complications if both Australia and Oman win as all four teams would then be tied on four points and goal difference would be required to decide the positions.

If that situation were to arise, the Australians and Omanis would have to win their matches by at least two goals to overhaul the goal difference of their rivals

GROUP B
Defending champions Japan, Vietnam and Qatar are battling for the two quarter-final spots in Group B following UAE’s elimination.

Table-toppers Japan and Vietnam have four points each and meet in Hanoi where a draw may be enough to send both sides through if Qatar, who have two points, fail to beat UAE in Ho Chi Minh City by at least a two-goal margin.

If the Hanoi clash ends in a draw, Japan would edge the co-hosts on the number of goals scored and the Vietnamese would be forced to sweat on the result of the other game.

Qatar’s task is simple: they must beat their Gulf rivals by at least three goals to ensure that they advance to the quarter-finals.

A draw would not be enough for Dzemaludin Musovic’s side while a win by a one or two-goal margin would make their passage dependent on the result from Hanoi.

GROUP C
Iran, China and Uzbekistan are all still in contention for the knockout stage after the 2-2 draw between the Iranians and Chinese in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, which left the two sides tied for top spot in Group C on four points, with the Uzbeks a point behind.

With Iran expected to pick up three points against last-placed Malaysia on Wednesday, which would secure their place in the quarter-finals, the clash between China and Uzbekistan at Shah Alam is likely to be a winner-takes-all clash to decide the remaining spot.

The Chinese only need a draw to confirm their place in the next round while the Uzbeks must win to stay in the competition.

A draw for the Iranians against Malaysia would also be enough to send them through but Amir Ghalenoei’s side are unlikely to settle for anything less than a big win as they are keen to top the group in order to remain in Kuala Lumpur for the quarter-finals.

GROUP D
Saudi Arabia lead Group D with four points, with Bahrain and Indonesia on three and Korea Republic trailing in last place with only one.

The Saudis only need a draw from their final match against Bahrain in Palembang to progress. They would top the group with a win although a draw would be enough if Indonesia fail to beat the Koreans in Jakarta.

Bahrain would need to beat the Saudis to ensure their progress although a draw would be enough if the Indonesia are beaten.

A win would send Indonesia through but a draw would be enough if Bahrain fail to beat the Saudis.

Korea must beat Indonesia and hope for a positive result in Palembang to advance. They would progress if the Saudis win but a Bahraini victory would result in goal difference being used to separate the Koreans and Saudis.

If the goal difference and the number of goal scored by the two teams is similar, organisers will resort to the final method of separating the sides by drawing lots.