Heraldsun - IRAN has had a woeful Asian Cup preparation, but a 2-0 win over Bahrain at AAMI Park on Sunday night may have played them into form.

A world-class volley from winger Ehsan Hajsafi and less convincing but equally important finish from midfielder Masoud Shojaei secured Team Melli the points in their Group C opener.

Iran’s players could have been excused for thinking they were playing in Tehran, with most of the 17,712 crowd clad in white and cheering every shot, save and tackle, producing a wonderful atmosphere.

Asia’s highest ranked team (51) clearly has room for improvement, but coach Carlos Queiroz would be delighted ahead of a game they expect to win, against Qatar at ANZ Stadium on Thursday.

Bahrain would need a result against the UAE to keep their tournament alive.

Iran has only played two friendlies since an impressive World Cup showing, but gave as good as they got in a high octane, physical encounter.

Playing a 4-3-3, Osasuna veteran Javad Nekounam bossed midfield in his 147th game for Iran, though it was a shaky start.

Bahrain carved the game’s first two openings inside 16 minutes.

Striker Jaycee John’s attempted scissors kick went wide before unmarked winger Sayed Shubbar missed a glorious chance, heading over the bar after Sami Alhusaini’s diagonal ball.

But Al-Arabi winger Ashkan Dejagah inspired Iran’s overhaul, as he terrorised Bahrain left-back Waleed Al Hayam.

But his crosses and finishing lacked cutting edge, letting Bahrain off the hook.

Dejagah was threaded through by a killer Masoud’s ball, but his one on one was saved by Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas.

Hajsafi then scored but was ruled offside, but there was no such qualms about his volley in first half stoppage time.

Keeper Abbas didn’t get a convincing fist on Andranik Teymourian’s corner and Hajsafi controlled it with his left before striking a dipping volley with his right foot to put Iran ahead and send the crowd into raptures.

Iran keeper Ali Reza Haghighi swatted away John’s vicious volley in the 58th minute and stood tall throughout.

But the killer blow came in the 71st minute when Masoud met Andranik’s corner and tucked it away.

Iran had firepower on the bench, with Queiroz bringing on Rubin Kazan’s 20-year-old striking sensation Sardar Azmoun to the delight of the crowd.

He got a few touches but is likely to play a bigger role going forward, as it stayed at 2-0.

Melbourne’s Iranian community wasn’t complaining.

2015 Asian Cup – Group C

IRAN 2 (Hajsafi 45+1, Masoud 71)

BAHRAIN 0

Crowd: 17,712 at AAMI Park

Referee: Ben Williams (AUS)

Red cards: Nil