With Tuesday's and Wednesday's games beginning a key week on the road to London, Syria and Japan moved into a commanding position at the top of Group C after second wins of the campaign lifted the duo six points clear of Bahrain and Malaysia ahead of match day three on Sunday.
Japan claimed their second three points in Group C after Yuki Otsu and Keigo Higashi, who scored in September's 2-0 home win over Malaysia, downed Bahrain by the same score line in Manama on Tuesday
And after beginning their final round campaign with a 3-1 home win over Bahrain at the end of September, Solaiman Solaiman and substitute Nassouh Nakkdahli struck in the second half as Syria posted a 2-0 win over SEA Games gold medal winners Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
But with only the three group winners guaranteed a ticket to London and the runners-up entering a play-off to earn the right to meet an African representative for a place at the Olympic Games, Japan will look to edge ahead at the top of Group C when they entertain Syria in Tokyo on Sunday, while Bahrain travel to Malaysia.
In Group A, Korea maintained their unbeaten record after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw in Qatar, while Oman picked up their first points of the campaign with a 2-0 home win over Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Majed's penalty two minutes before half time had put Qatar ahead in Doha, but Kim Hyun-sung struck eight minutes after the hour mark as the home side were forced to settle for a second draw of the campaign.
Oman, beaten 2-0 by Korea in September's opener, got their campaign back on track as Qasim Hardan and Nasser Al Shamali scored in Muscat to leave Oman a point adrift of Korea and one clear of third-placed Qatar.
On Sunday, Korea entertain Saudi Arabia, while Qatar make the short trip to Oman as the qualifying campaign reaches the halfway mark ahead of the final three games in February and March next year.
Finally in Group B, Uzbekistan remain two points clear of Australia and the UAE after both games on match day two ended goalless.
Uzbekistan, who beat Iraq 2-0 in September, returned from the UAE with a point, while Australia and Iraq shared the spoils in Doha.
After being held to a goalless draw at home by the UAE on match day one, Australia will look to kick start their campaign when the Olyroos entertain Uzbekistan in Sydney on Sunday, while Iraq travel to the UAE.
