With Malaysia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates all on nine points, Vietnam needed a win to further tighten their grip on the top of the group against Indonesia who have been knocked out of the reckoning for FIFA World Cup qualification, and coach Park Hang-seo's men duly delivered with an attacking masterclass.

The result sees the UAE reach 12 points in second place, two behind leaders Vietnam with Thailand staying in third place on nine points. The UAE face Indonesia in four days' time, while Thailand will wait till June 15 to face Malaysia in the final Matchday of the group.

Mardak Mardikian scored twice in the opening nine minutes and Mahmoud Al Mawas added a late third to maintain the Syrians’ perfect record with seven wins from seven games, meaning neither second-placed China PR or the Philippines can supplant them at the top of the table.

Victory also means Nabil Maloul’s team have booked their place among the 24 teams who will at the Finals of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

The Jordanian striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 24th minute and added a superb free-kick shortly after half-time, before Yazan Al Arab headed home a third as Vital Borkelmans’ side leapfrogged Kuwait in the race to reach the Third Round.

Nepal’s fifth defeat in seven outings means the South Asian side can no longer finish higher than fourth, bringing their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification hopes to an end.

The three points saw Iran leapfrog Bahrain into second place on 12 points, two behind Iraq with both sides having two matches remaining. The defeat was a blow for Bahrain, who are third with just one game remaining in the race to advance to the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Iraq were the last team in the group to resume their campaign, with their rivals having played four days ago, and the West Asians hit the ground running as they reclaimed top spot with the win, with Islamic Republic of Iran and Bahrain to meet later on Monday.

Sunil Chhetri struck twice in the closing minutes as India boosted their hopes of sealing a place in the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, with the India captain taking his tally to 74 international goals – above Argentina's Lionel Messi and one off entering world football’s all-time top 10.