During the AFC Under 23 Championship in Qatar, the hosts took on China in the opening match. The tournament doubles as an Olympic qualifier, with the top 3 finishers securing a place in the 2016 Rio Games. And with China having been draw into the tough Group A, they will have to be at their best to reach their first Olympics since 2008.
The championship's trophy made a dramatic entrance, rising from what looks like a cake during the opening ceremony for Asia's 2016 Rio Olympics qualifying tournament.
After the fireworks, hosts Qatar and China begin the action in a macth devoid of spark until two minutes before the break. Liao Lisheng with a stunning free-kick to give China a 1-0 lead Perfectly struck and it curls into the side.
But the hosts equalised in the 66th minute. Captain Abdelkarim Hassan arriving at just the right time to head home and make it 1-1.
And just six minutes later they go ahead. Hassan unleashes an absolute screamer past China goalkeeper Du Jia.
And Qatar make the game safe eight minutes from time. Akram Hassan Afif sets up Ahmed Al-Aaeldin - he could hardly miss.
China would be clearly frustrated and Xu Xin vents his anger in stoppage time by kicking Afif and being shown a red card. 3-1 is the final and a bad blow to begin the tournament for China.
The other match in Group A features Syria and Iran. The breakthrough comes in the 64th minute. Arsalan Motahhari weaves through the Syrian defence before firing into the top corner to give Iran the lead.
And they would add another just two minutes later as Mehrdad Mohammadi strikes for a 2-0 advantage. That is how it finished as Iran and Qatar both go top of the group with opening victories.
