The two sides came into the Matchday Three fixture on the back of contrasting results. Syria had beaten the Philippines 5-2 in the opening day of the Qualifiers, while the Maldives were on the receiving end of a 5-0 defeat by China PR on Matchday Two.

The Continent's 40 teams will only have a few days to recover before Matchday Four comes along on Tuesday, with another 16 matches scheduled.

It was a day of high quality action as 32 of the 40 teams involved in this phase of the Asian Qualifiers got their campaigns underway.

The teams now have a four-day break before Matchday 2 on Tuesday, which will see Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia kicking off their campaigns.

There were winning starts for Australia, China PR, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and the United Arab Emirates while Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw by Yemen.

Bangladesh, the final team to open their campaign on Matchday 2, were edged 1-0 by Afghanistan.

The Asian Qualifiers action will resume on October 10 so make sure to stay with the-AFC.com for the latest.

The win was China’s second in a row in Group A following a 5-0 win over Maldives in their opening game last month and ensures the Lippi-coached side go into Tuesday’s meeting with the Philippines in Bacolod with a perfect record as they continue their bid to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

After both Group B heavyweights began their campaigns with successful away trips last month, Australia are aiming to build on their positive start when they meet Nepal in Canberra, while Jordan face West Asian rivals Kuwait in Amman.

The Iranians began their latest Continental campaign with a 2-0 win away at Hong Kong on Matchday Two of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, a result which has left the East Asians – who are set to play Iraq – propping up the Group C table.