Having impressed in a 1-1 draw against defending champions Uzbekistan on Thursday, Team Melli Omid can take a major step towards the knockout stage as well as their ultimate goal of a first Olympic football qualification since 1976, with a win against the Koreans.

In stark contrast to Iran’s Olympic drought, Korea Republic haven’t missed out on the Games since 1984, but Estili is confident his staff have pinpointed a path to victory at Tinsulanon Stadium.

The 18-year-old forward was part of an Iranian attacking unit which produced 16 shots on goal but spurned several scoring opportunities as Hamid Estili’s side were forced to settle for a one point instead of three at Tinsulanon Stadium.

With Sayyadmanesh often serving as the creator, Team Melli Omid crafted clear cut chances both before and after Islomjon Kobilov’s penalty gave Uzbekistan a 40th minute lead, but only Reza Dehghani’s equaliser 13 minutes after half time brought reward for their endeavour.

With Team Melli Omid facing a 1-0 deficit at the interval, Estili introduced Ghayedi in place of Ali Shojaei, with the shift forcing Allahyar Sayyadmanesh into a positional change after he had led the line in the opening 45 minutes.

The reshuffle paid dividends, with Iran manufacturing five efforts on goal in quick succession after the break; pressure that ultimately produced Reza Dehgani’s equalising goal in the 58th minute.

Uzbekistan went ahead through an Islomjon Kobilov penalty kick just before half-time, but Iran drew level through Reza Dehghani’s 58th minute goal to claim a share of the spoils at Tinsulanon Stadium.

With the match seemingly headed for a goalless draw, 58th-minute substitute Lee scored to snatch the win in the third and final minute of stoppage time, sending Kim’s charges to the top of the Group C table at the end of Matchday One.

The Koreans looked destined to be held by a determined Chinese outfit, but a goal from substitute Lee Dong-jun in the third minute of stoppage time ensured Kim Hak-bum’s side finished the opening Matchday of Group C top of the table.

Syria fought back for a 2-2 draw after Qatar, who finished third in the 2018 edition, had taken a 2-0 lead after just 21 minutes at the Thammasat Stadium. 

Barakat reduced the deficit in the 31st minute and Hakeem’s tweaking and pep talk at half time saw Alaa Aldin Dali equalising for Syria in added time.