Russia 2018/UAE 2019 Qualifiers: Singapore 1-2 Syria

Kharbin, who had opened the scoring for Syria in the first half, was on hand to net a dramatic 90th minute winner after 10-man Singapore thought they had ensured a share of the points thanks to Safuwan Baharudin’s penalty just 60 seconds earlier.

The result leaves Syria second in the group with 15 points from six matches and within touching distance of Japan who had earlier recorded a 2-0 win over Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

It was Syria who struck the first blow at Singapore’s National Stadium, Mahmoud Al Mawas finding Kharbin who planted a header firmly past home goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

Izwan was to rescue his side yet again before the break with the talented custodian diverting a Kharbin effort onto the post before reacting well to deny Syrian captain Sanharib Malki.

Singapore responded well after the break thanks to a Safuwan effort which flashed narrowly wide only for their momentum to be stopped in its tracks when defender Madhu Mohana was dismissed in the 55th minute for an off-the-ball scuffle with Kharbin.

With time running out, Singapore were thrown what they thought was a vital lifeline courtesy of Safuwan’s successfully converted penalty after Alaa Al Shbbli had handled in the area.

It was not to be for Bernd Stange’s charges though, as Kharbin powered a ferocious drive beyond Izwan’s despairing dive to seal a vital three-point haul for his country.

The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.

Photo: AFP