Japan and Iran Triumph in Asian Cup 2024 Opening Matches

Japan's Minamino shines with two goals, while Vietnam's unexpected challenge and the tournament's 1,000th goal mark notable moments.

Japan and Iran emerged victorious in the opening matches of the Asian Cup 2024, with Japan overcoming a surprising challenge from Vietnam to secure a 4-2 win and Iran dominating Palestine with a 4-1 victory.
Takumi Minamino, the Japanese football sensation, played a pivotal role in Japan's win, scoring two crucial goals.
Vietnam, despite being ranked 94th in FIFA ranking, put up a strong fight against Japan, even taking the lead in the first half of the match.
The tournament also witnessed the landmark 1,000th goal in the history of the Asian Cup, scored by Hong Kong’s Philip Chan Siu Kwan against the United Arab Emirates.
The Palestinian team's presence in the tournament, coinciding with the 100th day of the Israel-Hamas war, added an emotional weight to their match against Iran.