The clash at the Suzhou Olympic Center Stadium comes 18 months after the last ball was kicked in Group A as the COVID-19 pandemic halted the Asian Qualifiers, with China eight points behind leaders Syria.

Although China have a match in hand, their hopes of advancing to the third round of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup depend on Syria dropping points in their remaining matches.

The Japanese also sealed their spot at the Finals of the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 as Group F winners with the victory, their sixth in a row in the current phase of qualifying, as Moriyasu’s side confirmed their progress to the next phase with two games remaining.

Etheridge is one of several withdrawals from the squad prior to their departure for Suzhou, where the Philippines will face China, Guam and the Maldives in Group A of the preliminaries.

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.

As fans prepare for the resumption of the second round of qualifying, the-AFC.com winds the clock back to campaigns of years gone by, which have thrown up some of the most memorable matches in Asian football history.

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted the Asian Qualifiers to just four matches since November 2019, but after much anticipation, the stage is set for 57 matches to be played over 19 days of thrilling action as the race to qualify for the final rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ reaches its climax in eight centralised venues across the Continent.

With the action coming thick and fast over a two-week period during which teams will look to secure a place in the next round of qualifying, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the form players who will be representing their nations.