WC miracle beckons for Syria, China

AFP, HONG KONG: War-torn Syria as well as China, the ultimate sleeping giants, are both aiming to pull off a near-miracle as Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup heads into a final showdown on Tuesday.

Among Asia's heavyweights, Australia's progress is far from assured and South Korea are in danger of missing out on their first World Cup since 1982 in what will be a nail-biting last round of group games.

Perhaps indicating rising standards in the region, competition for Asia's 4.5 places at next year's Russia World Cup has been unusually intense, with only Japan and Iran qualified so far.

Group A is particularly unpredictable as South Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan and Marcello Lippi's China remain in the running for either the second automatic berth, or a place in the play-offs by finishing third.

Syria, despite playing their home games in Malaysia to avoid their country's bitter civil war, occupy the play-off spot after a win and a draw against China, wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar, and draws with South Korea and Iran.

They play arguably the night's toughest fixture -- away to Iran, who are yet to concede a goal -- as they look to stay ahead of Uzbekistan and China, and perhaps even leap-frog South Korea into second place.

Chinese success would be just as eye-catching if they manage to rise from fifth in the group to snatch a play-off spot and stay in the hunt for just their second World Cup appearance.

WC miracle beckons for Syria, China

AFP, HONG KONG: War-torn Syria as well as China, the ultimate sleeping giants, are both aiming to pull off a near-miracle as Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup heads into a final showdown on Tuesday. Among Asias heavyweights, Australias progress is far from assured and South Korea are in danger of missing out on their first World Cup since 1982 in what will be a nail-biting last round of group games. Perhaps indicating rising standards in the region, competition for Asias 4.5 places at next years Russia World Cup has been unusually intense, with only Japan and Iran qualified so far. Group A is particularly unpredictable as South Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan and Marcello Lippis China remain in the running for either the second automatic berth, or a place in the play-offs by finishing third. Syria, despite playing their home games in Malaysia to avoid their countrys bitter civil war, occupy the play-off spot after a win and a draw against China, wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar, and draws with South Korea and Iran. They play arguably the nights toughest fixture -- away to Iran, who are yet to concede a goal -- as they look to stay ahead of Uzbekistan and China, and perhaps even leap-frog South Korea into second place. Chinese success would be just as eye-catching if they manage to rise from fifth in the group to snatch a play-off spot and stay in the hunt for just their second World Cup appearance.