Giants pass first tests

Free piggy ride: Japan’s Ayase Ueda (second from left) carries his teammate after scoring the fourth goal in the 4-2 win over Vietnam in the Asian Cup Group D match at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Sunday. — AP

AL-RAYYAN: Big wins for Japan and Iran on Sunday backed up their pre-tournament billing as two of the favou rites to lift the Asian Cup.

Record four-time champions Japan came from behind to beat Vietnam 4-2 in Group D, and Iran overcame the Palestinian soccer team 4-1 in Group C.