Jordan reaches Asian Cup last 16, all to play for in Group A

The meeting of Thailand and Bahrain on the pitch came a day after FIFA issued a fresh plea for a "humane and speedy resolution" to an extradition case involving a footballer that has been criticized by human rights groups.

Hakeem al-Araibi, a former international for Bahrain, was granted refugee status in Australia last year after fleeing his homeland, where he said he was persecuted and tortured. He was arrested while on holiday in Thailand in November due to an Interpol notice in which Bahrain sought his custody after he was sentenced in absentia in 2014 to 10 years in prison for allegedly vandalizing a police station - a charge he denies.

"This situation should not have arisen, in particular, since Mr. Al-Araibi now lives and works and plays as a professional footballer in Australia, where he has been accorded refugee status," FIFA said in a statement.

"FIFA is therefore calling on all the relevant authorities (in Bahrain, Thailand and Australia) to take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr. Hakeem Al-Araibi is allowed to return safely to Australia where he can resume his career as a professional footballer." The top two teams in each group and the four best third-place teams advance to the round of 16.

UAE had a disappointing start to the tournament as the hosts needed a late penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw with Bahrain but the team showed a marked improvement in Thursday's victory over India.

Khalfan Mubarak chipped India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to give UAE the lead four minutes from halftime.

India missed a number of good opportunities and also hit the underside of the crossbar before Ali Ahmed Mabkhout sealed the result with two minutes remaining.

In Group B, the result never looked in doubt for Jordan, which scored both its goals in the first half.

Mousa Suleiman netted the opener and had a hand in the second as he crossed for Tareq Khattab to head in at the near post.

AP