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.

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.

The team, admitted Esmaeel, left the fans disappointed after the 1-1 draw with Bahrain in their opening match, and are determined to make up for that against India, who impressed with a 4-1 win over Thailand.

"The fans are the fuel that push us players to get better and better and it is our responsibility to make sure we satisfy them," said the Al-Wasl midfielder.

With Vietnam to the fore, Iraq trailed 2-1 at half-time before substitute Humam Tareq fired home a 60th minute equaliser and Adnan’s last gasp free-kick sealed all three points for Srečko Katanec’s charges, who went second in Group D following their success.

“We are so happy to start the tournament this way and to win this game, especially with the number of goals we scored,” said Pizzi. 

“What was most important was that we implemented our own style of play today. We will follow the same ambition for the coming matches.”

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.