Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Mardek Mardkian scored twice as Syria opened their Group B campaign in the third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 Olympics with a convincing 3-1 win over Bahrain on Wednesday.
Mohammed Fares, who was part of the Al Ittihad squad that won the AFC Cup last year, opened the scoring with quarter-of-an-hour at the King Abdullah International Stadium played before Bahrain were reduced to ten men 15 minutes later with the sending off of Rashed Al Hooti.
Syria made their numerical advantage count on the stroke of half-time through Mardkian, who then scored his second of the match nine minutes after the interval.
Syed Shubbar reduced the deficit five minutes from full time but the midfielder's late penalty proved to be only a consolation for Bahrain.
Syria top Group B ahead of Japan on goal difference after the East Asians defeated Malaysia 2-0 earlier on Wednesday and they will be looking to consolidate their position when they take on Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on November 23 while Bahrain will be hoping to get their campaign back on track when they host the Japanese on the same day.