The 2015 AFC Asian Cup enters its second week with Australia stamping their authority on the tournament with two dominant displays.
But it's not just the host nation who are attracting healthy crowds and entertaining the fans. Francis Leach nominates four things that we've learnt so far about the 16th edition of the continental championship.
1. The People's Game
It's one thing to invite folks to a party, but it's no guarantee they will show up.
These fears were allayed on the opening night of the Asian Cup, when more than 25,000 people gathered in Melbourne to watch host nation Australia defeat Kuwait 4-1. Since then the crowds have kept on coming.
Just under 18,000 fans turned out for Iran's game against Bahrain in Melbourne, creating one of the most vibrant spectacles both on and off pitch that the tournament has seen. In Newcastle, a crowd of more than 15,000 was inside the Hunter Stadium to watch title holders Japan play Palestine.
With 50,000 spectators since witnessing the Socceroos' demolition of Oman at Sydney's Stadium Australia to book a place in the quarterfinals, and the emergence of China as genuine title contenders, those numbers are expected to grow.
In Australia's crowded summer sporting calendar featuring a busy international cricket schedule and a Grand Slam tennis event, the Asian Cup has managed to find itself a home. Don't underestimate what a significant achievement this is.
2. The Power of Preparation
Ange Postecoglou's Socceroos are testament to the value of having a vision and staying the course. They have hit the tournament with the force of a cyclone, blowing away opponents Kuwait and Oman and scoring eight goals in just two games.
Postecoglou made it clear throughout 2014 that his target was to prepare a team that would be a force at the Asian Cup, laying a foundation for their qualification campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Some began to question Postecoglou's approach as the poor results piled up toward the end of 2014, but those voices, for now, are silent.
The Australians have a way to go before they complete their mission here, but the signs are promising. Contrast that with those teams who changed coaches on the eve of the tournament in search of an instant solution to their footballing woes.
There is no greater example of the value of continuity than the UAE's man in charge, Mahdi Ali.
Having coached junior national teams previously, Ali took a U-23 team to the 2012 London Olympics. Following that he was promoted to the top job as senior national team coach. He's grown as a coach with his team and their sparkling form at the AFC Asian Cup reflects that.
Others have not had the luxury of time.
Nabil Maaloul had been in charge of Kuwait for barely a month before jetting to Australia for the tournament; it's not long enough to prepare a team properly, and results reflect that.
Similarly, Bahrain's Majan Eid took on the job in the middle of November. Unsurprisingly he was unable to guide his team to the quarterfinals.
Djamal Belmadi took on the role managing Qatar last March. He won the Gulf Cup with his team last November, but having already been eliminated with a game to spare, he's likely to join the list of 30 managers to have been fired from the top Qatari job since 1990.
It's a reminder to those developing football nations who hunger for success that quick fixes are no substitute for planning and preparation.
3. The rise of China
Did you feel that? The ground trembling beneath your feet? It's the first signs of the rise of the Chinese dragon as a regional football power -- their appearance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and progression to the 2004 Asian Cup final notwithstanding -- and it could change the game as we know it in Asia if it continues.
With two wins from their two group matches -- including a fabulous come-from-behind victory over Uzbekistan in Brisbane -- China may be on the cusp of challenging Asian football heavyweights Japan, Australia, South Korea and Iran. A successful campaign at the Asian Cup will catapult Chinese football into a new stratosphere at home, and will have major implications elsewhere.
With the embryonic Indian Super League up and running, the prospect of two of Asia's most populous and economically dynamic nations becoming football powers will re-draw the map for the sport in the region and challenge others to up the ante as well.
4. The next Asian football superstar
Every show needs a headline act or two.
Last year's FIFA World Cup had Colombia's James Rodriguez and Lionel Messi.
At the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar, it was Japan's Keisuke Honda.
So far at this 2015 tournament, no one has yet laid claim to the title of leading man.
We've seen plenty of delightful, industrious football but nothing to really take our breath away.
Massimo Luongo's performances for Australia have been eye catching.
The UAE's midfield star Omar Abdulrahman is a delight to watch and must surely have the scouts from a number big European clubs pencilling his name in their books.
Iran's Yaser Kasim looks a class above his opponents. He has already banked a Man of The Match Award and is bound to have some big performances within him.
If it's rock-star attitude you want, China's goalkeeper Wang Dalei may turn out to be the headline act of the tournament if Alain Perrin's side keep winning.
We wait to see who lights up the show in the next two weeks to leave a lasting impression.