In an all-West Asian affair at the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium, both sides showed respect from the beginning, which translated into little action in the final third for either side.
The goalless stalemate continued well into the second half but the tempo of the game was turned up a notch with both sides putting up a more attacking front.
In the 73rd minute, Syria broke the deadlock when Palestine substitute goalkeeper Ramzi Alfahkouri failed to contain Ashkar’s header, courtesy of Yousef Al Hamwi’s brilliant cross from the right.
Group A runners-up Palestine, who missed out on a quarter-final berth in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, turned aggressive with runs into the Syrian half in search of the equaliser but Syria’s defence held strong to claim the win and a spot in the quarter-finals.
Syria will go up against Vietnam - who defeated Bahrain 1-0 - in the quarter-finals.
Photos: INASGOC
