Khalil struck with just two minutes remaining in regulation time to secure a 1-1 tie with Miroslav Soukup’s side in their Group A meeting and ease some of the pressure on Alberto Zaccheroni and his team.

Mohamed Al Rohaimi had appeared to put Bahrain on course for a sensational victory when he scored in the 78th minute, only for Ahmed Khalil to rescue a late point for the host nation when he equalised from the spot with two minutes remaining at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The result sees the regional rivals tied at the top of the Group A standings ahead of Sunday’s match between fellow group hopefuls India and Thailand.

With time running out, Khalil impressively held his nerve to convert from 12 yards for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup runners-up after Mohamed Al Rohaimi had given a resilient Bahrain the lead just 10 minutes earlier.

The draw, played out in front of a vocal crowd at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium, sees the regional rivals tied at the top of the Group A standings ahead of Sunday’s match between fellow group hopefuls India and Thailand.

After a cautious opening, it was to be the UAE who threatened first, striker Ali Mabkhout expertly finding Ismail Al Hammadi who raced into the area and fired narrowly wide of Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Shubbar’s far post with six minutes played.

The two teams are making a welcome return to the Continental showpiece, with India last appearing in 2011 and Thailand four years earlier.

Drawn in a group that also includes the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, a win for either India and Thailand will go a long way to boosting their hopes of advancing to the Round of 16, a fact not lost on the head coaches of both teams, who also accept that the opener is going to be far from easy.

Against the backdrop of a packed stadium and hundreds of millions around the world, football fans were treated to a breathtaking live show with a series of on-pitch music performances in a fitting tribute to the excellence of Asian football and the vibrant spirit, colour and atmosphere of the host nation.

Internationally renowned singing sensations from the UAE, Hussain Al Jassmi, Balqees Ahmed Fathi and Eida Al Menhali were the ceremony’s main stars, which set the perfect stage for the tournament’s opener between the hosts UAE and Bahrain.

“Our preparations has been quite exceptional and tomorrow is the first game that will open the door for Palestine football to announce to Asia and world that we’re here,” said Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali.

“It is a very exciting moment for us as we enter the arena with Syria and we look forward to a strong match and fair play. We’re representing our country and we want to make Palestine proud.”

The Socceroos claimed their first-ever AFC Asian Cup title on home soil in 2015 but, with a rejuvenated squad and a new man at the helm, Arnold was quick to stress he and his players are focused only on what lies ahead.

“That was four years ago, it was in our own nation and it’s a great memory for the Australian public, but in four years many things change in and around the team and also in people’s personal lives,” said Arnold, who took over as Australia coach following the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

“It’s a great memory, but we’re totally focused on what’s in front of us. We can’t do anything about the past and what’s in front of us is the Asian Cup. For the players and myself it’s time to get the show started. Everyone’s been talking about it for a long time and we’ve prepared for it and we’re ready.”