Syria scores easy win in World Cup Asian qualifiers

Associated Press file photo

TOKYO— War-torn Syria’s national soccer team won its third straight World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, routing Cambodia 6-0 in Phnom Penh.

Striker Omar Khribin scored two of the four first-half goals to help his team take a comfortable lead in Group E with nine points. Syria has so far scored 13 goals without conceding.

Japan was playing Afghanistan at Tehran in a later Group E match, aiming for its second win in the campaign.

Yu Dabao scored two goals as China beat the Maldives 3-0 to rebound from its scoreless draw last week against Hong Kong.

The Chinese forward opened the scoring in the eighth minute in Shenyang, getting a deflection off the cross bar, and doubled the lead in the 57th. Zhang Linpeng’s header from a corner put the result beyond doubt in the 66th minute of the Group C match. Qatar beat Hong Kong 3-2 in the same group.

In other matches, Jordan beat Bangladesh 4-0 at Dhaka to move to seven points from three games in Group B, and Vietnam scored in stoppage time for a 2-1 victory over Taiwan, its first win in Group F. Also in Group F, Thailand and Iraq drew 2-2 in Bangkok.

Guam maintained its unbeaten record at home in this round by holding Oman to a 0-0 draw in the opening match of the day to stay in contention in Group D on seven points.

Guam opened with wins at home against Turkmenistan and India but was soundly beaten by Iran last week in its first away game. Oman held top spot in the group with seven points and a superior goal difference ahead of Iran’s match against India at Bangalore.

Among the later matches, Palestine was hosting the United Arab Emirates on the West Bank in a Group A match, and Tajikistan was at home to Asian Cup champion Australia in Group B. TVJ

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