Al Salt started on the front foot and created several half-chances inside the opening 15 minutes, but it was with their first real sight of goal that they opened the scoring in the 19th minute. Ahmad Israiwah curled a well-weighted cross from a free-kick into the box and Mohammad Al Daoud found space at the far post to head home the opener.

Going into the match, Balata Center knew that only victory would keep their hopes of qualification to the next round on their debut alive, while Muharraq needed a win and other results to go their way to secure progress with a game to spare.

Al Faisaly got their campaign off to a winning start three days earlier, beating Palestine’s Al Ama’ari Center 2-0 to go top of the group while Tishreen took a point from Kuwait SC with a very late equaliser, but the Jordanian side kept the pressure up till the end and got their reward for it.

Against the run of play, Al Ama’ari Center opened the scoring 18 minutes into the match thanks to Abdulhamid Abuhabib, who tapped in Sameh Maraaba’s initial weak shot from close range after a fast break that also included Mohamed Maraaba in the build up.

A goalless draw between Al Wahda and Al Ahed on Friday meant the three-team group remains open for all possibilities going into the final matchday, with Al Hidd needing to avoid defeat if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Syria currently lead the way with a hugely impressive five wins from five and they start as clear favourites to progress to the third round of qualifying, while the pressure is on hosts China PR who sit eight points back, level with the Philippines.

The Maldives still have aspirations of a top-two finish and Guam are seeking their first points of the campaign. Ahead of the opening game between China and Guam on Sunday, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at Group A.

It has been 18 long months since a ball was kicked in Group B – featuring, Australia, Kuwait, Jordan, Nepal and Chinese Taipei – and with a wait like that, one could be forgiven for needing a refresher course before the action resumes.

But fear not, the-AFC.com is here to bring you all need to know about the finely poised group, including a run-down on the venues and how the teams currently stand, plus we pick out a key man from each of the five sides.