Late blow puts China on ropes

Russia 2018 dream in jeopardy after last-gasp Syrian equalizer

KUALA LUMPUR - Ahmad Al Salih's late strike dealt a body blow to China's faltering quest to reach a second World Cup on Tuesday and Qatar kept its slim hopes alive with a 3-2 upset of South Korea.

China was within reach of only its second win in Group A of Asian qualifying when Al Salih curled home an injury-time freekick to earn Syria a 2-2 draw.

With only two matches left, China must now make up six points and four goals in goal difference to snatch third place and a playoff spot.

"It's a shame we only gained a point from this game," said China's Italian coach Marcello Lippi. "We deserved the three points.

"Now there is only one possibility left - we have to beat Uzbekistan by two goals in our next match and then hope they lose and that we win against Qatar.

"We will try everything we can to grasp this last chance, but if we had taken three points today the whole picture would be more optimistic."

China's sole World Cup finals appearance was the 2002 edition in South Africa, but its national and domestic setup has been energized by a Government-backed strategy to turn the country into a soccer superpower by 2050. It also harbors hopes of hosting the World Cup.

Led by Lippi, who coached Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup, China recovered from Mahmoud Al Mawas's 12th-minute penalty through Gao Lin's contentious spotkick in the 68th minute.

Wu Xi's volley with 15 minutes remaining looked to have spared China's blushes, but Al Salih, who had complained bitterly that China's penalty was soft, stepped up in the third minute of added time to curl a superb freekick past goalkeeper Zeng Cheng and earn a point for Syria.

Group B leader Japan was also stunned by a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Iraq, as the Samurai Blue failed to gain a cushion over nearest rivals Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Qatar was in the spotlight against World Cup regular South Korea in Doha, amid a diplomatic and economic blockade imposed by neighboring Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain over alleged links to terrorism.

The Qataris, however, put the political turmoil to one side as Hassan Al Haydos' double powered them to only their second win in eight matches, taking their tally to seven points and giving them an outside chance of finishing third.

The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for next year's World Cup in Russia, while the third-place sides go into a playoff series for Asia's remaining spot.

Despite the loss, qualification for Russia is still in South Korea's own hands.

It remains a point ahead of Uzbekistan in the race for the automatic second qualifying spot in Group A.

Tuesday's result could also set up a thrilling finale as Uli Stielike's team plays Uzbekistan in the last match.

"I take full responsibility for this result," said Stielike, who admitted his job could be on the line after a stuttering campaign. "I am the one who makes the tactical decisions."

Asked if he would consider his position following the latest setback, the German replied: "I have to say this is not my decision, we have to wait and see."

Tottenham striker Son Heung-min went off injured in the 33rd minute after suffering a suspected broken right arm. "We have to have a scan, it may be broken. It's not good," said Stielike of Son, who now looks likely to miss the start of the EPL season.

Earlier in the day, Japan seemed to be cruising to victory in neutral Teheran after Yuya Osako's first-half goal, before the diminutive Mahdi Kamil poached the equalizer for Iraq in the 73rd minute.

Japan is just a point ahead of both Saudi Arabia and Australia, its final two opponents in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster finish to Group B.

On a night of late equalizers, the UAE benefited from a stoppage-time strike which at least postponed its elimination.

The UAE was seconds from dropping out of the running for Russia 2018 when Ali Mabkhout scored from close range in the third minute of added time.

It means the UAE is mathematically capable of securing third place in Group B, but like China it needs big wins in its last two games and for other results to go its way.

Japan remains well placed in Group A but it will be kicking itself after letting victory slip through its fingers against Iraq.

Japan was looking comfortable with 17 minutes left but after Alaa Abdul Zahra's slalom run into the box the ball bounced to Kamil, who gratefully slammed home.

So far, Iran is the only Asian side to confirm a spot in Russia.

Agence France - Presse

Syria's Mardek Mardkian surges past China's Yu Hanchao during Tuesday night's Asian zone World Cup Group A qualifying match in Melaka, Malaysia. The match ended 2-2 to leave China's qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Vincent Thian / Ap