Bahrain

Iran Iran are favourites to get their Asian Cup campaign off to the perfect start when they take on Bahrain in Melbourne on Sunday.

Mahdi Ali Head coach Mahdi Ali has given no thought to who the United Arab Emirates may face in the Asian Cup quarter-finals after a win over Bahrain.

Hakeem al-Araibi's lawyer has declared victory in the campaign to have the refugee footballer freed from prison in Thailand.

Abdulla Yousuf Bahrain hope to have key player Abdulla Yusuf Helal back fit for their Asian Cup clash against managerless Thailand.

Hakeem al-Araibi received a warm welcome on his return to Australia on Tuesday.

Bahrain Bahrain laid down a marker ahead of the Asian Cup with an impressive 4-1 friendly victory over Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Iran World Cup participants Iran are the drawcard of what is set to be an evenly contested group at the 16th Asian Cup in Australia.

Harry Redknapp's Jordan won 8-0, Australia and Japan scored big and Thailand reached the next phase in the latest AFC World Cup qualifiers.

It was a day to remember for Guam as they ended their long wait for a World Cup qualifying victory.

Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates all qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup with qualifying wins on Friday.