China's World Cup hopes further dimmed after 2-2 draw with Syria

China's Gao Lin scores from the penalty spot in the 2018 World Cup qualifier between China and Syria in Melaka, Malaysia on June 13, 2017. [Photo: dfic/Liu Jialiang]

China's hopes of making it into the 2018 Russia World Cup further dimmed after a 2-2 draw with Syria in the qualifiers.

China, which almost dominated the game, suffered an early blow just 12 minutes into the duel. Fahad Youssef was touched down by China goalie Zeng Cheng inside the box and Mahmoud Almawas sent the ball to the bottom corner from the spot.

China's coach Marcello Lippi reduced the number of defenders to three after the break and China leveled the score in the 68th minute with a penalty by forward Gao Lin. 

Midfielder Wu Xi gifted China a 2-1 lead at the 75th minute with a volley from close range.

However, Ahamd Salih smashed China's hope for a win in stoppage time with a curling free kick.

China now stands fifth in its qualifying group with 6 points from 8 matches and only two matches remaining. 

Iran tops Group A with 20 points from 8 matches and have already qualified for the World Cup finals. South Korea ranks second with 13 points from 7 matches, followed by Uzbekistan 12 points from 8 matches, Syria 9 points from 8 matches. Qatar are at the bottom with 4 points from 7 matches.

The top two teams from both Asian groups directly qualify for the Russian World Cup. The two 3rd-placed teams will have a playoff.