With some of the fancied sides struggling, Iran have played themselves into top form and their coach Afshin Ghotbi believes his team can go all the way to the January 29 final and lift the Cup.
"Since I entered Iran after 30 years, people have been good to me and my ideals," said Ghotbi, who returned to Iran from the US.
"I want to repay them with a gift and I want this gift to be this championship. In 2007 the Iraqi people needed to unite and the Iraqi team gave them the 2007 championship and I hope Iran can use this tournament as inspiration and my players hold the Cup not only for themselves but for the people of Iran."
The Iranian coach said he had a squad of quality players and it presented him a good problem.
"In almost every position the competition is tight in the Iran team," he said.
"It's a tough challenge for coaching staff on which 11 to start but it's a good problem to have," he said adding that he hoped the North Koreans would try and attack today.
"I hope North Korea plays like they did against Portugal, open and attacking. If they do so then it will give us space. They need points and we want to win as well so it will be a very interesting match," Ghotbi said.
After missing a penalty early in the game, North Korea just about held on against a rampant UAE side in their opening encounter.
But coach Jo Tong-sop said the squad had analysed the mistakes of the first game and would put up a better show in this crucial match.
"The players are aware that they did not play to their potential. We will concentrate on the attack as we are keen to win full points," the Korean coach said. The Korean coach his side will try and use speed and skill to penetrate the strong Iranian defence.
With the UAE taking on Iraq in the other match, this Group D is wide open.