The Lions of Mesopotamia produced another excellent display in the 3-0 win over Yemen on Saturday, setting themselves up nicely for a top-of-the-table meeting with Iran on Wednesday.

Goals from Mohanad Ali Kadhim and Resan, who plays his club football for Iranian giants Persepolis, gave the West Asians a 2-0 first half lead with Alaa Abbas’ late strike securing a comprehensive win for Iraq, who joined Iran at the top of the table on six points.

Iraq were made to sweat a little against Yemen in the opening minutes of the game but took control shortly before taking a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time.

Although Katanec’s men found it hard to break down their opponents in the second half, the third goal eventually arrived late in the game and the Slovenian was pleased with his team’s performance.

Azmoun scored twice against Vietnam on Saturday to take his tournament tally to three and move to the top of the tournament’s goalscoring chart.

However, after helping secure Team Melli’s passage through to the Round of 16, the Rubin Kazan forward insists he has no interest in personal accolades as he seeks to help Iran secure their first Continental title since 1976.

Saturday’s 2-0 win over Vietnam, along with Iraq’s later defeat of Yemen, saw Iran – who have now won their opening two games at the AFC Asian Cup for the third tournament in a row – assure themselves of a place in the knockout phase.

While Wednesday’s fixture will undoubtedly rekindle memories of Iraq’s sensational quarter-final victory over the Iranians at the AFC Asian Cup’s last edition, it will also determine who finishes top of Group D, a fact not lost on Queiroz.

Iraq’s second successive victory - having defeated Vietnam 3-2 on Matchday One - meant Srecko Katanec’s team join Islamic Republic of Iran on six points with Wednesday’s clash with Team Melli to determine who finishes at the top of the standings.

Iran defeated Vietnam 2-0 earlier on Saturday. For Yemen, it was their second defeat after having lost 5-0 to Iran in their opener.

At a wonderfully atmospheric Al Nahyan Stadium, two goals from Sardar Azmoun ensured the Iranians made it six points from six – an impressive start to a campaign which has now seen the three-time champions of Asia guarantee their progress to the knockout phase along with Iraq who beat Yemen in the group’s later game.

With one round of matches still to come, Vietnam must beat Yemen to stand any chance of sealing their place in the next round as one of the best third-place finishers.

Fahad Almuwallad opened the scoring at the Al Maktoum Stadium in the 12th minute to give Saudi Arabia an early lead, before Hussain Almoqahwi sealed their convincing victory with his 67th minute sliding effort, courtesy of Bahbri’s pinpoint delivery into the box.