Substitute Kwon Chang-hoon scored the tie's only goal on the hour, just two minutes after coming on, to earn the home side their first win of the Group A campaign at the rain-soaked venue in Suwon city.

Team Melli ended the first window of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar with full marks, having beaten Syria 1-0 at Azadi Stadium on Thursday before adding a second victory on Tuesday, keeping clean sheets across both games to top the group at this early stage of the campaign.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh opened the scoring for IR Iran inside three minutes, heading home Mehdi Taremi's pinpoint cross from the left. Taremi turned from provider to scorer in the second half, adding his side's second before substitute Ali Gholizadeh rounded off the scoring late on.

Ali Mabkhout latched onto a long pass from centre-back Shahin Abdulrahman, seizing on a mistake from Syrian goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma to sweep home the UAE’s opener.

Creator of the UAE goal Abdulrahman turned culprit as he failed to clear Mahmood Al Mawas’ cross from the right flank, allowing substitute Mahmood Al Baher to drill home the equaliser.

Having beaten China PR 3-0 in their opening game last Thursday, Australia were looking to continue their perfect start as they bid to reach a fifth successive FIFA World Cup.

And in humid conditions at My Dinh Stadium they did just that as Rhyan Grant's header just minutes before half-time proved the difference between the sides to ensure the Socceroos remain in pole position in Group B.

A terrific first half goal by Saleh Al Shehri was enough for the Saudis to register 1-0 victory against Oman at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Thursday, taking them level with Australia at the top of the group with six points apiece.

Yuya Osako’s goal late in the first half was enough for Hajime Moriyasu’s side to return to winning ways after a surprise single-goal defeat at the hands of Oman in their opening game in Osaka last week.

The margin of Japan’s victory was slim despite outplaying Li Tie’s team for large portions of the game, and the inability to win by a larger margin left Yoshida focusing on his side’s shortcomings.

Playing in the European Qualifiers in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2022, Tuesday's result means the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions have a record of two wins, two draws and two losses in Europe this year.