TEHRAN – Iran national football team started their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a 5-0 win over debutants Yemen at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the UAE on Monday.

Mehdi Taremi scored Iran's first goal after Yemen goalkeeper failed to save Sardar Azmoun’s shot from outside the box and the Al-Gharafa forward took the rebound and easily tapped it into the net in the 12th minute.  

Iran’s lead was doubled by an own goal from Yemen goalkeeper Saoud Al-Sowadi in the 23rd minute after Ashkan Dejagah’s free-kick came back from the post, struck the goalie and went right in.

Taremi made it 3-0 with a header form the center of the box to the top right corner.

Azmoun scored Team Melli’s fourth goal in the 53rd minute.

Substitute Saman Ghoddos was on target in the 78th minute with a powerful shot from the right side of the box to the center of the goal.

Iran will play Vietnam On Jan. 12 at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi and face Iraq four days later at the Al-Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup is being held in the UAE from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1.