Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Omar Kharbin celebrated his 22nd birthday in style with goals either side of half-time as Syria kept alive their AFC U23 Championship quarter-finals hopes with a 3-1 comeback win over 10-man China at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium on Friday.
Liao Lisheng had given China the lead with a first half free-kick just as he had done in Tuesday's opening 3-1 defeat by Qatar.
But after Kharbin converted from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after China goalkeeper Du Jia had been sent-off, the striker completed the comeback at the start of the second half before Mahmood Al Baher sealed the win as Syria bounced back from their opening 2-0 defeat by Iran.
"I am very happy today because we have to win today and we won," said Syria coach Muhanad Al Fakeer.
"I think we played a good match. We tried to press on China, but in the first 20 minutes we bring the last match with us to the field and I see my players fearing they would lose. But after 20 minutes we used the sides very well and we were lucky because the China goalkeeper had a red card and it make the match easier for us.
"But we have to now forget this match again and look to the future."