Match Report
Syria, 1st with 18 points, sat 16 points above Afghanistan (3rd, 2). Afghanistan had been under-performing their position — 21st on five-round form against 3rd in the table. In league terms the two rates read 3.5/0.33 for Syria and 0.67/1.83 for Afghanistan (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.49.
Three consecutive wins preceded this game for Syria, having scored in 7 consecutive games. Afghanistan's winless run stood at 10. Over the last five, Syria had taken 10 of 15 points to Afghanistan's 2.
The venue was Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, with room for 27,000 spectators. Half-time and full-time told different stories: it was 1-1 at the break, before 4 more goals closed it at 5-1.
Goal scorers
Syria: Mohammad Alsalkhadi (1'), Mohammad Al-Mustafa (58'), Mohammad Al-Hallaq (54'), Mohammad Al-Mustafa (82'), Mahmoud Al-Aswad (90') · Afghanistan: Ali Reza Panahi (9')
Key stats
Possession: Syria 58% · Afghanistan 42% · Total shots: 10-4 · On target: 6-3 · Corners: 7-3