Alireza Jahanbakhsh gave Iran the lead in the 17th minute and Mehdi Torabi cancelled out Rudy Cardozo's equaliser in the 51st with his strike in the 63rd as the Central Asians look towards a fourth AFC Asian Cup title in the United Arab Emirates on January 5-February 1.

Iran, playing only their second match since the 2018 FIFA World Russia where they came within a whisker of advancing to the knockout stage, started aggressively as they pinned Bolivia in their own half.

The results are a boost for Japan and Uzbekistan while Oman will be satisfied of their defensive steel as all three continue their build-up for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1 in the United Arab Emirates.

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UZBEKISTAN 2-0 QATAR

Tashkent: Odil Ahmedov and Marat Bikmaev’s goals in the second half steered Uzbekistan to a 2-0 win over Qatar at the Bunyodkor Stadium.

Qatar and Uzbekistan, ranked 13th and 14th respectively in Asia, went toe-to-toe in the opening minutes, promising a cagey 90 minutes.

Qatar threatened through Almoez Ali early on but Uzbekistan’s defenders were quick to deny the livewire from making any attempts on goal.

UAE 0-2 VENEZUELA

Having played to a 1-1 draw with Honduras on Thursday, AFC Asian Cup 2019 hosts UAE were looking to test themselves against Venezuela, ranked 45 places higher than them, in their international friendly at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona, Spain.

However, Alberto Zaccheroni’s side found themselves chasing the match from the first minute as defender Luis del Pino Mago gave Venezuela the lead off an assist by Romulo Otero.

UAE had a chance to get themselves level when they were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute but Omar Abdulrahman failed to convert.

The Whites came very close to being crowned Asian champions last time they hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 1996, with only a penalty shootout denying them. Now, with a golden generation of players, they are dreaming of continental glory.

The UAE's plans do not stop with the continental showpiece in January, as UAE FA President His Excellency Marwan bin Ghalita explains the challenges that lie ahead for his federation in developing Emirati football.

Korea Republic, China PR and Kyrgyz Republic will all play in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 and Tuesday's friendlies were the latest as the three prepare for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1.

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KOREA REPUBLIC 2-2 PANAMA

Cheonan: Panama came from two goals down to share the spoils with Korea Republic in a 2-2 draw in an international friendly at Cheonan Stadium on Tuesday.

Korea Republic took an early lead, needing just six minutes to find the back of the net against a Panama side who were coming off a 3-0 defeat to Japan on Friday.

Park Joo-ho finished off beautifully after Hwang Hee-chan beat two defenders down the right before his cut-back found an unmarked Park, whose shot took a slight deflection past Panama goalkeeper Luis Mejia.

AUSTRALIA 4-0 KUWAIT

Kuwait City: Graham Arnold’s reign as the new Australia head coach got off to a perfect start with the Socceroos defeating Kuwait 4-0 in a friendly on Monday.

The Socceroos scored twice in each half to cap an encouraging performance in their first hit-out since the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.

An own goal gave the Socceroos a deserved lead, before Apostolos Giannou, Tom Rogic and Awer Mabil – on his international debut - all got on the scoresheet.

Four years after Korea Republic had pipped Japan to the bronze medal at the AFC Asian Cup 2007, beating them 6-5 on penalties in the third-place decider, the eternal rivals locked horns again.

This time, a place in the final was at stake. Doha, which had hosted the first-ever AFC Asian Cup encounter between the two sides back in 1988, was the venue once more.