In a Group D match of few chances, Gallifuoco inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net when under pressure from Abdalla Ghanim after Australia had failed to fully clear a corner.

Victory puts the UAE level on three points with Jordan, 3-1 winners over Vietnam earlier in the day.

The two winning sides are due to meet in the second round of group games on Sunday (January 17) and UAE coach Abdullah Misfir is keen for his players to guard against complacency. 

"It is an important victory but we have not qualified," he said.

"With three points you can still go out at the first stage.

"You need to win or at least get a point in the next game.

"If you get at least a point you could be more comfortable, but still not yet qualified."

Baha Faisal bagged himself a brace in Jordan’s comfortable win over Vietnam at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium.

The forward broke the deadlock six minutes before the end of an opening half in which the Vietnamese frustrated their opponents.

A long range strike from Omar Maanasrah doubled Jordan’s lead midway through the second-half and the three points were sealed when Faisal found the back of the net with a diving header.

"All opening matches are going to be tough, especially when you play against an unknown team," said Jordan’s coach Jamal Ahmad, who guided the country to third place at the 2013 AFC Under-22 Championships in Oman. 

"Vietnam are a good team because they are among the 16 teams who have qualified for this tournament and it took some time to know how they play and to control the game and to know their positives and negatives."

Đỗ Duy Mạnh scored a late consolation for Vietnam, who are scheduled to meet Australia on Sunday.

The competition is due continue tomorrow with the second round of Group A matches, as China face Syria before hosts Qatar go up against Iran.

The top three teams qualify for this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.