The Iranians began their latest Continental campaign with a 2-0 win away at Hong Kong on Matchday Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, a result which has left the East Asians – who are set to play Iraq – propping up the Group C table.

Matchdays One and Two produced several surprises and the-AFC-com picks out five matches to keep an eye on in Thursday's Matchday Three.

With records, streaks and qualification for the two biggest international tournaments on the Asian football calendar all on the line, the-AFC.com examines some of the stats and facts you need to know ahead of the 32 fixtures to come.

All 40 teams aiming for qualification will be in action with Matchdays Three and Four scheduled for October 10 and 15.

As we prepare for another fiesta of national team football, the-AFC.com takes a look at the scenario in the eight groups heading into the next two rounds of matches on the Road to Qatar 2022 and China 2023.

Goals from distance, individual brilliance and solo efforts lit up the opening two rounds of the Asian Qualifiers. the-AFC.com has picked five. Tell us who you think scored the best goal.

There were winning starts for Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates while Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw by Yemen.

Bangladesh, the final team to open their campaign on Matchday 2, were edged 1-0 by Afghanistan.

The Asian Qualifiers action will resume on October 10 so make sure to stay with the-AFC.com for the latest.

It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.

The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.