Australia's Jackson Irvine (right) fights for the ball against Syria's Antonio Yakoub during the Asian Cup Group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Jan 18, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

DOHA - Thanks to the only goal from midfielder Jackson Irvine, Australia guaranteed a berth in the round-of-16 at the ongoing AFC Asian Cup after edging Syria 1-0 in Group B here on Thursday.

Irvine scored the decisive shot in the 59th minute, when he flicked the ball past Syria's goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh.

It was his second goal of the tournament after he scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win over India in the first game of the group.

Pablo Sabbag almost slot Syria the first goal in this Asian Cup but his small-angle shot hit the post in the sixth minute.

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India's goalkeeper #01 Gurpreet Singh Sandhu secures the ball past Uzbekistan's midfielder #22 Abbosbek Fayzullaev during the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup Group B football match between India and Uzbekistan at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on Jan 18, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

With two straight wins, Australia lead Group B with six points, followed by Uzbekistan who eased past India 3-0 on Thursday.

Fayzullaev headed in the opener in the fourth minute for Uzbekistan before Igor Sergeev doubled the lead and Sherzod Nasrullaev sealed the win in the first half.

Uzbekistan, who tied Syria 0-0 in the first round, will encounter Australia in the last round to vie for the group winners.

Syria might qualify for the next round as one of the best-third teams if they can beat India in the next game, while India also have an outside chance.

Palestine's Oday Dabbagh jumps after he was stopped by United Arab Emirates' Bader Nasser Mohammad, on ground, during the Asian Cup Group C soccer match between Palestine and United Arab Emirates at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, on Jan 18, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

In Group C, United Arab Emirates were held a 1-1 draw by Palestine on Thursday.

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A total of 24 teams are competing in six groups at the Asian Cup. The top two of each group and the four best third-finishers enter the knockout stage.