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.

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.

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.

That sets the stage for an exciting battle as the UAE, expected to be backed by a capacity crowd at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, look to bounce back with a win after being held to a 1-1 draw by Bahrain in their Group A opener on Saturday.

For India, another three points would surely mean a place in the Round of 16 after their impressive 4-1 victory over Thailand on Matchday One.

Both teams need to win, with Bahrain having conceded a late goal in their 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates while Thailand suffered a 4-1 defeat to India.

Bahrain looked set for the three points after taking the lead against UAE with Mohamed Al Romaihi breaking the deadlock in the 78th minute but were denied victory when Ahmed Khalil converted a spot-kick 10 minutes later.

The Muharraq defender was just 12-years-old when Al Ahmar reached the last four at China 2004 (pictured below) - their best ever finish at the Continental Finals - but an impressive opening night draw with host nation United Arab Emirates has given them cause for optimism in this year's edition.

Miroslav Soukup's side can take a significant step towards the Round of 16 with three points against a Thailand side still reeling from a 4-1 defeat to India, and Al Hayam called on his teammates to seize their opportunity.

"I think it’s a good time to qualify for the next round," he said.

Stange’s team were held 0-0 draw by Palestine after seeing Vital Borkelmans’ side notch up a 1-0 win over the defending champions and the German coach knows his team must pick up a win at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in the hotly anticipated meeting with their neighbours.