Ward Salama’s first-half goal proved the difference at Dubai’s Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium as Syria reinforced their position at the top of the Group A standings by going eight points clear of second-placed China PR.

With progress through to the next phase of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying – and a place at the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 – now tantalisingly close, Ebrahim is adamant that Syria fully deserve to be where they are.

Ward Al Salama’s first-half goal proved the difference at Dubai’s Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium as Syria, despite not always having things their own way against a spirited Philippines outfit, went on to ensure another three-point haul and to add yet more momentum to an already impressive campaign.

The result leaves Syria eight points clear of China PR in second and well on track to guarantee their progress, while their opponents remain third in the table with seven points from their five matches.

The win takes Maldives to six points but they remain fourth in the standings while Guam suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.

Syria made it five wins from five to seize control of Group A as the West Asians will take a whopping eight-point lead into 2020 after defeating Philippines 1-0.

Turkmenistan will also head into the new year as Group H leaders, with their 1-0 win over Sri Lanka and the Lebanon-DPR Korea tie ending in a goalless stalemate giving the Central Asian side a one-point lead.

The Asian Qualifiers will resume on March 26.

Muhammad Safawi Rasid was the star of the night with two wonderful goals but Tan said all his players contributed to the victory as Malaysia made it two wins on the trot, having beaten Thailand 2-1 in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifier on Thursday.

The win, coupled with Vietnam and Thailand playing to a goalless draw in Hanoi, saw Malaysia move up to second in the Group G standings on nine points from three wins and two defeats.

The win took Jordan to 10 points, level with Kuwait but trailing on goal difference with Australia leading on 12 points with a match in hand.

Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, suffered their fifth consecutive defeat to remain rooted at the bottom of the standings.

Abdy Bashimov and Altymyrat Annadurdyyev found the back of the net as Turkmenistan backed up Thursday’s 3-1 success against DPR Korea to move to nine points from five matches.

Ante Miše’s side are now a single point ahead of Korea Republic, who hold a game in hand, while Sri Lanka remain at the bottom of the group without a goal or a point after five matches.