Top four teams with longest unbeaten run in AFC Asian Cup opening matches

These nations possess the top-tier squads in Asia.

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup produced a number of thrilling matches in the first round of the group stages. The likes of Japan, Iran, Qatar and South Korea all picked up big wins by scoring a lot of goals and establishing themselves among strong favourites to fight for the title.

There were quite a few thrills and spills along the way in gameweek one of the AFC Asian Cup. For some teams, it was a case of extending their impressive record of not falling to a defeat in the tournament. While losing an opening game in a major cup competition is never the end of the world (Argentina for example), some teams have pride at starting the Asian Cup editions with at least a draw, if not a big win itself. Here we look at four teams with the longest unbeaten record in the AFC Asian Cup opening games.

4. China

China have participated in an impressive 12 AFC Asian Cup editions, with their first-ever appearance coming in the 1972 edition. They have had a few third-place finishes and were the runners-up in the 2004 edition, which was held on their home turf. However, a more respectable record that the Dragon’s Team have been able to manage is having an impressive record in Asian Cup opening matches.

China have gone unbeaten in their last seven AFC Asian Cup opening clashes, one feat they preserved (and extended) with their goalless draw against Tajikistan recently. The last time the Dragon’s Team lost an opening clash in the AFC Asian Cup was way back in the 1996 edition, when they fell to Uzbekistan, and they have not lost an opener since that.

3. Japan

Japan have a rather amazing record in the AFC Asian Cup, even though they started playing in the competition from just 1988 onwards. They have qualified for 10 AFC Asian Cup editions and have not lost a single opening match in any of them. Indeed, they drew their first-ever AFC Asian Cup match in the 1988 edition against Iran and have continued the tradition of being unbeaten in all their Asian Cup opening clashes ever since.

They extended the record with a compelling 4-2 win over Vietnam in their opening game of the 2023 Asian Cup, coming back from being 2-1 down to register a big win. The Samurai Blue have actually only lost six matches in the Asian Cup in 49 games, including three in the 1988 edition, and have won the tournament four times in the past.

2. South Korea

South Korea got their 2023 AFC Asian Cup off to a brilliant start with a dominant 3-1 win over Bahrain to retain their reputation as one of the big favourites to clinch the title. The Taegeuk Warriors have actually been slow starters in the AFC Asian Cup, having taken part in 15 editions over the decades.

They are currently on a 12-match unbeaten streak when it comes to their AFC Asian Cup opening games, although having played out a lot of draws to kick off past editions. Despite not being the best starters in their AFC Asian Cup participation, South Korea have at least not lost their last 12 opening games (including the one against Bahrain). In fact, the only team to have defeated them in an Asian Cup opening game was India in the 1964 edition – when the Blue Tigers picked up a huge 2-0 win in Israel.

1. Iran

Iran have been one of the most decorated teams in AFC Asian Cup history and have participated in all the 15 editions of the competition since their debut in 1968 – which they hosted. Team Melli won the first three AFC Asian Cup editions in which they played, but have actually not been able to win a single edition after that. However, a rather incredible and unmatched record that Iran boast is that they have never ever lost an opening game in the AFC Asian Cup.

They extended that amazing streak to 15 games in their 4-1 win over Palestine in the group stages opener recently. Team Melli have mostly won their Asian Cup opening games in dominant fashion and have set a new bar with their dominance in opening clashes, which is unlikely to be matched anytime soon.

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