In a tournament that has already witnessed several surprise results – notably Jordan’s defeat of Australia – the Portuguese tactician was thankful that the three-time champions of Asia avoided any sort of upset at the start of their Group D campaign.

Instead, Mehdi Taremi’s brace along with goals from Ashkan Dejagah, Sardar Azmoun and Saman Ghoddos helped seal a relativy straightforward victory and a provide a perfect start to Team Melli’s 14th AFC Asian Cup campaign.

Mehdi Taremi scored twice as the three-time AFC Asian Cup champions, who reached the quarter-finals last time out in Australia, excelled throughout and underlined their title credentials in what is their 14th consecutive appearance at Asia’s premier competition.

Iran’s success sees them go top of the Group D standings ahead of Tuesday’s encounter between fellow group hopefuls Iraq and Vietnam.

A spectacular 2018, said head coach Park Hang-seo, will see Vietnam giving the Continental showpiece their all as the Southeast Asians look to better the quarter-final finish achieved in their last appearance in 2007.

Iraq head coach Srecko Katanec was equally bullish, citing a solid preparation for his confidence.

As a Copa America winner with Chile in 2016, the 50-year-old knows his way around a major tournament, and called on his players to get off to a strong start in their tenth successive appearance at the Finals.

"All tournaments are different from each other. and we can't evaluate the Saudi team in other editions of the Asian Cup thinking it might be repeated," he said.

The Azkals defied pre-match predictions of an easy Korea Republic victory, frustrating the 2015 runners-up before Gamba Osaka front man Hwang Ui-jo finally settled the tie in the 67th minute.

Following the match at Al Maktoum Stadium, Shrock told the-AFC.com he was satisfied with his side's performance.

On what proved to be a momentous night for head coach Stephen Constantine’s charges, Chhetri netted either side of the break as – along with goals from Anirudh Thapa and Jeje Lalpekhlua – India recorded their first win at the Finals of an AFC Asian Cup since beating Hong Kong at the 1964 tournament.

His brace also took the JSW Bengaluru star’s tally for India to 67 – two ahead of Lionel Messi on 65 and 18 behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the list of the top three international goalscorers still currently representing their countries.

Syria came into the game as heavy favourites with the likes of Omar Al Soma, Omar Khrbin and Mohammed Osman among their ranks.

But the Qasioun Eagles struggled in front of goal despite dominating possession for the most part of the match and were even playing with an extra man just after the hour mark.