Finding their way into the hearts of thousands of supporters in the UAE are the competition’s two official public fan zones, which are also screening the action live in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Forging the unlikeliest of partnerships is none other than Mustafa Wameedh Alyasiri, an Iraqi whose proficiency in the didgeridoo, an Australian musical instrument, has been turning heads at the Fan Zone at Al Bahar at the Corniche in Abu Dhabi.

Widely known to his fans as Flash, the former bio medical engineer, who has spent the last few years living in the UAE before moving back to Baghdad, has remarkably never been to Australia and like the birth of most passions has primarily been self-taught.

Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali scored for the Gulf side as they joined Saudi Arabia at the top of Group E after the first round of matches, with the pair’s goals capping an assured display in the second period by the Qataris.

Sanchez’s side were made to work for the points against a Lebanon team that was disciplined and well-drilled and the performance of their opponents came as little surprise to the Spanish coach.

Second-half goals from Bassam Al Rawi and Almoez Ali gave the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts all three points at the end of a challenging encounter to move Sanchez’s team level on three points with Saudi Arabia at the top of the early standings.

The four-time Asian champions went into the break trailing 1-0 after Arslanmurat Amanov’s stunning long-range strike had threatened to earn Turkmenistan their first-ever victory at the continental Finals.

However, a much-improved Japanese display after the break – which saw Yuya Osako score twice and Ritsu Doan add a third – proved enough to seal all three points for Japan despite a late scare courtesy of Ahmet Atayev’s 79th minute penalty.

Uzbekistan led 1-0 at the break following Odil Ahmedov's curling free-kick at the Sharjah Stadium.

Oman, however, clawed their way back into the game when substitute Muhsen Al Ghassani pulled his side level in the 72nd minute.

But with five minutes left, Eldor Shomurodov produced a moment of brilliance after coming on as a second-half substitute to ensure Cuper’s men got their UAE 2019 campaign off to a winning start.

The win took Uzbekistan to second in the standings behind Japan, who defeated Turkmenistan 3-2 in their opening tie earlier on Wednesday.

Oman started aggressively, as they tested the Uzbekistan defence with several surging runs and in the 14th minute, came close to scoring through Ahmed Al Mahaijri’s header which goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov brilliantly saved.

Oman’s confidence grew as they pegged the White Wolves in their own half and in the 25th minute, Saad Al Mukhaini’s delivery from the right flank sailed invitingly for Raed Saleh but the forward failed to connect.

Trailing 1-0 at half-time, Yuya Osaka’s brace and a goal from Ritsu Doan proved the difference in a game which had seen four-time champions Japan trailing at half-time before a spirited revival ensured all three points for Hajime Moriyasu’s charges.

The result takes Japan to the top of Group F where they are level on points with Uzbekistan who beat Oman 2-1 in the group's later game.