Both teams will be determined to hit the ground running and the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts & figures ahead of what is set to be an exciting face off.

Early advantage
The teams have only met once at the AFC Asian Cup, with Syria winning the encounter 2-1 in the 1996 edition.

Proud record
Uzbekistan have progressed from the group stage of AFC Asian Cup in each of previous five editions (2004-2019), having failed to do so in their first two (1996-2000) appearances.

Winning habit
Uzbekistan have won five of their seven opening games of the AFC Asian Cup, winning the last three (2011-2019). Four of those five victories came with a clean sheet.

Tough unit
Syria have avoided defeat in four of their six AFC Asian Cup opening matches (W1 D3 L2), while they have lost 52% (11/21) of their games overall in the competition.