The Syrians fell to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Australia in their opening game in Group D of the competition, but the Al Ittihad striker will attempt to channel the lessons learned from playing alongside Al Soma - Syria’s three-time leading goal scorer in the Saudi League - when he faces off against Korea Republic on Sunday.

“I had a few chances from the high balls,” said the 23-year-old forward. “I try to use my height for these crosses, but I wasn't lucky enough to score. 

“But I look to national team player Omar Al Soma, who is known across all of Asia for his ability with the high ball. I played next to him in the national team and he is a great role model.”

Nguyen Quan Hai gave the Vietnamese a surprise lead but goals from Cho Yong-wook and Lee Keun-ho ensured the 2016 finalists turned the result around to claim all three points and stand level at the top of the group standings with Australia.

Both nations have three points after the Australians had earlier secured a 3-1 success over Syria and the pair could book their berths in the next phase of the competition with victories in the second round of matches.

Vietnam, meanwhile, will hope to make a similar start to their meeting with the Olyroos as they did against Korea, with Quan Hai curling his shot beyond Kang Hyeong-mu in spectacular fashion to give Park Hang-seo’s side the lead after just 17 minutes.

Blackwood opened the scoring for Ante Milicic’s team and claimed the decisive third to give the Australians a winning start after Bruce Kamau had also scored for the Olyroos and Thomas Deng’s own goal had given the Syrians hope of a comeback early in the second half.

Victory puts the Australians in a strong position in the group ahead of their second game on Sunday, when they will face Vietnam and a win against the Southeast Asian nation could secure them a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals.

The Olyroos made an immediate impression in the opening exchanges and, by the eighth minute, Milicic’s team were in front. 

Deng’s well-weighted pass out of defence released Daniel da Silva into the space behind the Syrian backline and he rolled the ball into the feet of Blackwood, who scored a goal of beautiful simplicity.

Blackwood could have doubled his side’s advantage six minutes later when da Silva released him in on goal, only for the Adelaide United striker to hit the side netting.

Blackwood’s goals sandwiched a header from Bruce Kamau as Ante Milicic’s side impressed in picking up the three points against the Syrians with a 3-1 win that put down a marker for the rest of the competition.

Australia’s fluid performance was particularly notable given the lack of preparation time afforded to the team due to the on-going A-League season, and the Adelaide United striker is confident the understanding within the Olyroos team is only going to increase.

“We’ve got a few players in the squad who haven’t been released by their clubs previously and I think we’re starting to gel as a team going forward,” said the 20-year-old. 

“Hopefully we can a little bit more compact in defence starting from me, or whoever plays up front, through to the goalkeeper. Maybe we need to be a little more compact at times. But after that game we’ll get better and better as we play together more.

“We would’ve liked to score a few more goals (against Syria) and keep a clean sheet, but I think it was definitely a good game to get under our belts before the next game. We’re only going to get better in the next game.”