The Samurai Blue, heading into their first major campaign under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, may be a team in transition but that isn't going to stop them from the mission of lifting the sparkling new AFC Asian Cup trophy come February 1.

Standing in Japan's way in Wednesday's opening Group F match are Turkmenistan, whose confidence has been boosted by Jordan defeating defending champions Australia, Palestine holding Syria and the Philippines giving Korea Republic a mighty test before eventually losing 1-0.

The 26-year-old Al Gharafa favourite scored twice on a night when the three-time Asian champions were rarely troubled by opponents making their debut in the competition as a unified nation.

Iran’s impressive victory saw them assume pole position in Group D, a flying start that Taremi believes will stand his side in good stead going forward.

Yu Dabao scored with 12 minutes remaining to give the Chinese all three points in the Group C clash after Akhlidin Israilov had put Kyrgyz Republic ahead three minutes before the break, only for an own goal from goalkeeper Pavel Matiash to allow China to pull level.

Lippi’s team showed a marked improvement in the second half having been second-best in the opening 45 minutes and the former Juventus and Italy coach was puzzled by his team’s lacklustre display in the first half.

Australia struggled in front of goal as they failed to produce an equaliser against Vital Borkelmans’ Jordan at the Al Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Sunday.

Graham Arnold’s side now have little margin for error in their remaining two group matches and defenders Behich and Grant spoke to the-AFC.com on Australia’s chances against the Lions of Canaan.

Both the player and Syrian team confirmed the 27-year-old would play no further part in the competition, and faces a six-month stint on the sidelines after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear in the first half of Sunday's goaless draw against Palestine.

Omari, who plays his club football for Doha-based Qatar Sports Club, revealed the details of his injury via social media.

In a match that was dominated by Korea Republic, the Azkals displayed impressive character to keep their opponents at bay before Hwang Ui-jo’s 67th minute strike eventually sealed the East Asians the win in the Group C tie.

The two-time winners went into the game as heavy favourites but debutants Philippines, under Swedish coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, proved resolute in the opening 45 minutes, frustrating a frontline led by the 2018 Asian Games’ top scorer Hwang.

Korea Republic sought to break the deadlock after the interval but the Philippines almost gave them a scare when Javier Patino wasted a good opportunity, before the East Asians scored the only goal of the game midway through the half when Hwang opened his account with a close-range finish.