KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 -- Uzbekistan nearly spoiled pre-tournament favorites Iran's opening show at the AFC Asian Cup on Wednesday, but were finally defeated 2-1 by a resolved Iranian squad.

Experienced defender Rezaei Rahman's clumsy back head pass under Blugbek Bakaev's pressure flew high over a helpless outing goalkeeper Hassan Rodbarian into the net.

Iran rallied after the interval and equalised the score in the 56th minute when defender Seyed Hosseini Khoshkebejari converted a Mehdi Mahdavikia corner into the far corner with a neat header.

Substitute striker Javad Kazemeyan sealed the victory for Iran when he drove home a small angle shot following midfielder Andranik Teymourian's through pass into the penalty area.

The Uzbeks prevailed in the first half with 52 percent ball possession and more threatening shots than the "Team Melli", despite their strong forward pair Maxim Shaskikh and Alexander Geynrikh were not on the pitch. Shaskikh was suspended for two yellow cards in the qualifying rounds.

A lively skipper Server Djeparov just provided enough support for Pavel Solomin and Bakaev, and midfielder Timur Kapadze fired two nice headers to pressure the Iranians.

The central Asian force were likely to maintain their advantage in early second half, but after conceding the corner, Uzbekistan gradually lost control of the game.

The Persians piled on the pressure to their opponents with sharp forays from the center and the right flank, and came close on several occasions to score.

The Uzbeks also had a clear chance, but Kapadze's 72-minute chip inside the box was denied by Rodbarian.