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.

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.

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.

Elsewhere, there was action from the top flights in Singapore and Cambodia so join the-AFC.com as we review the best of the action from around Southeast Asia.

In Hong Kong, Kitchee SC claimed a second successive title after defeating Eastern SC in a winner-takes-all encounter, while the Kawasaki Frontale bandwagon keeps on rolling in Japan as they moved 12 points clear in the J1 League.

Elsewhere, there was league action in Macau and the Northern Mariana Islands, so join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of fixtures from across East Asia.

Sunday's 1-0 win took Al Hilal to 58 points, four more than Al Shahab with just a match to play with the title sealed despite the Riyadh giants having suffered a dip in form midway through the season.