Iran can take another step towards an eighth successive trip to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup when they face Hong Kong on Friday at Khalifa International Stadium.
The Dragons lost their opening encounter, 3-1, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while Iran had little trouble dispatching Palestine, winning 4-1.
The lowest-ranked Asian side coming into this competition, 150th according to FIFA, were level with the UAE early into the second half before a lapse in concentration shortly after equalising.
Sunday was the first time a side from Hong Kong featured at the Asian Cup since 1968, while this team are now winless in their 11 matches played in this competition.
Jorn Andersen's men though have shown plenty of fight in recent games, coming back from a pair of one-goal deficits to draw Turkmenistan in 2026 World Cup qualifying last year, while also claiming a famous 2-1 victory over China earlier this month, their first against them in 39 years.
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