AFC Asian Cup
Matchday One delivered thrills and spills as the teams began their respective campaigns to clinch the remaining six slots available for the continental showpiece.
The-AFC.com reviews the action from the opening matchday.
Group A
As expected, Philippines and Tajikistan set the early pace with victories over Maldives and Timor-Leste respectively.
The Philippines cruised 4-1 past Maldives while Tajikistan were made to work hard before securing a 1-0 victory.
The top two meet in June and Philippines, with home ground advantage, will look to surge clear of their main challengers for the sole spot to the Finals from the group.
Group B
An emphatic 5-0 win against Brunei Darussalam means Lebanon have already opened a two-point lead in Group B and the West Asian side will be determined to continue leading from the front.
Seeking a third consecutive appearance at the Finals, Lebanon will meet Yemen next in June and given their impressive start, will fancy another three points.
Yemen need a win after being held to a goalless draw by Bhutan.
Group C
Matchday One ended with all four teams on one point each, living up to expectations that Group C is too close to call.
India and Singapore failed to maximise home ground advantage in goalless draw with Bangladesh and Hong Kong, China respectively.
They will hope to have better fortunes when they travel in June, with Singapore to face Bangladesh and India to play Hong Kong, China.
Group D
Hard fought wins saw Thailand and Turkmenistan setting the early pace in Group D with the two expected to battle it out for the single Group D ticket.
Thailand edged Sri Lanka 1-0 at home while Turkmenistan scored a morale-boosting 2-1 away victory against Chinese Taipei.
The Central Asia side will host Thailand on Matchday Two and it promises to be a thriller.
Group E
Syria topped Group E on goal difference after a 2-0 victory against Pakistan with Myanmar second following their 2-1 defeat of Afghanistan.
Seeking a third consecutive appearance at the Finals, Syria will expect another three points against Afghanistan in June.
Myanmar, whose only previous appearance in the Finals was in 1968 when they emerged runners-up, will be determined to keep pace with victory against Pakistan.
Group F
Vietnam strolled to a 5-0 win against Laos while Malaysia's 2-0 win against Nepal was defaulted with a 3-0 result in favour of the South Asian side following an AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee decision on March 17, 2026. The decision can be accessed HERE.
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