Three time champions Iran began their 2015 AFC Asian Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in a Group C match in Melbourne on Sunday night.
The Iranians, Asia's best performed team at last year's World Cup, grabbed the lead in first half injury time from full-back Ehsan Hajsafi and doubled their advantage through forward Masoud Shojaei in the second half.
Carlos Queiroz's side had the majority of possession and chances and could have won by a more comfortable margin.
Former Fulham star Ashkan Dejagah missed a golden opportunity to put Team Melli ahead in the 20th minute. But the winger spurned the chance as he went one-on-one with Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Jaffer.
Two minutes later, Hajsafi had the ball in the back of the net. But as the whistle had been blown for offside, the Sepahan utility player was shown a yellow card by Australian referee Ben Williams.
In the 40th minute, Iran captain Javad Nekounam sent a free-kick in a dangerous position from just outside the box over the bar.
But in time added-on before the break, the Persian Stars took a well deserved lead after Hajsafi's left-footed shot beat Bahrain goalkeeper Jaffer.
Iran looked to put the game out of Bahrain's reach in the second half. Within three minutes of the resumption, lively forward Reza Ghoochannejhad tested Jaffer with a well-struck volley after controlling the ball with his chest.
Queiroz's side had more chances to score but were almost caught cold by Bahrain's Nigerian-born striker Jaycee John in the 58th minute. The 29-year-old forward unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot from outside the box that was parried away by Iran custodian Reza Haghighi.
Tempers flared 10 minutes later after Haghighi collected a Bahraini free-kick. As he ran with the ball to the edge of the penalty area, he clashed with Bahrain midfielder Fawzi Aaish who refused to get out of his way. But both players escaped a caution.
But in the 71st minute, Iran took the sting out of the Bahraini resistance with a goal from Masoud Shojaei. From the Andranik Teymourian corner, the former Osasuna winger mis-hit his shot but it was good enough to beat Jaffer.
In their second Group C matches, Iran will face Qatar in Sydney on Thursday while Bahrain play United Arab Emirates on the same day in Canberra.