Asian Cup: Saudi Arabia 1 Syria 2

Syria sprung the first major surprise of the Asian Cup on Sunday, defeating three-time winners Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Al-Rayyan.

A long-range, deflected effort from Abdelrazaq Al-Hussain gave Syria the lead in the 37th minute at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, before substitute Taisir Al Jassim headed Saudi Arabia level.

Abdelrazaq struck again with another deflected goal and Syria survived a late Saudi onslaught to go top of Group B, leaving the Asian Football Confederation’s fifth-ranked team facing a battle to progress.

Neither side enjoyed more than half-chances early on, with Saudi Arabia’s Naser Al-Shamrani shooting wide of the post after finding himself free of the defence.

Syria’s Mohamed Al-Zeno had an ambitious effort from distance tipped wide by Saudi goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah before Abdelrazaq broke the deadlock with eight minutes of the half remaining.

The Al-Karamah man collected a loose ball outside the area and struck a shot that ricocheted off a diving Saudi head and into the net, leaving the wrong-footed Waleed stranded.

Syria might have extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half through Nadim Sabagh, who had a shot blocked after a terrific run into the box by Wael Ayan.

Four minutes later, however, Saudi Arabia were level.

Substitute Taisir threw himself at a punched clearance, heading the ball down sharply and beyond Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous, who appeared unsighted as the ball flashed past him and into the net.

But it took just three minutes for Syria to restore their lead. Abdelrazaq – lurking on the edge of the box – seized on a headed clearance and struck a shot which took another vicious deflection, leaving Waleed helpless a second time.

Still cursing their luck, Saudi Arabia laid siege to the Syrian goal in the closing stages.

Substitute striker Naif Hazazi was closed down by Ali Diab seconds before pulling the trigger, before Ahmed Ateef had a shot blocked.

Naif and Yasser Al Qahtani had efforts smothered by desperate Syrian defenders inside the box, before the luckless Naif saw an injury time header – seemingly destined for the bottom corner – saved by the fingertips of Mosab.

Syria top Group B with three points ahead of Japan and Jordan, who have a point apiece following their 1-1 draw.

Saudi Arabia are bottom and in danger of exiting at the group stage.