Contender teams Japan, South Korea, former winners Saudi Arabia and Thailand have made a winning start to the AFC U-23 Asian Cup held in Qatar.

Japan and Korea, who are in Group B, got off to a winning start and won by the same margin. Japan beat China and Korea beat UAE 1-0 to collect three points.

Japan will face UAE on April 19 in the second match of the group stage, while Korea will play against China on the same day.

Similarly, Saudi Arabia, the former winner in Group C, won an impressive 4-2 against Tajikistan. In the next match of the same group, Thailand shocked Iraq 2-0.

On April 19, Iraq will face Tajikistan in the second Afbo group stage match, while Saudi Arabia will play against Thailand on the same day.