Omar Kharbin celebrated his 22nd birthday in style with goals either side of half-time as Syria kept alive their AFC U23 Championship quarter-finals hopes with a 3-1 comeback win over 10-man China at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday.
Liao Lisheng had given China the lead with a first half free-kick just as he had done in the 3-1 defeat by Qatar.
But after Kharbin converted from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after China goalkeeper Du Jia had been sent-off, the striker completed the comeback at the start of the second half before Mahmood al-Baher sealed the win as Syria bounced back from their opening 2-0 defeat by Iran.
“I am very happy today because we have to win today and we won,” said Syria coach Muhanad al-Fakeer.
“I think we played a good match. We tried to press on China, but in the first 20 minutes we bring the last match with us to the field and I see my players fearing they would lose. But after 20 minutes we used the sides very well and we were lucky because the China goalkeeper had a red card and it make the match easier for us.
“But we have to now forget this match again and look to the future.”
China started brightly as Zhang Yuning and Liao created early opportunities.
And China were rewarded after 21 minutes as Liao lifted a free-kick from 30 yards up and over the wall and into the back of the net in a virtual carbon copy of his goal against Qatar at the same venue earlier in the week.
The goal, through, spurred Syria into life and Mahmoud al-Mawas and Kharbin both had chances to level the scores.
Muayad al-Khouli then struck the underside of the crossbar as Syria’s resurgence continued.
And on the stroke of half-time Syria drew level as Kharbin converted from the penalty spot after China goalkeeper Du had been sent-off for upending al-Baher.
Kharbin then completed the turnaround nine minutes into the second half with a dipping strike from the edge of the area that clipped the underside of the crossbar on its way across the line.
And with seven minutes remaining, al-Baher was on hand to follow up from close range to seal the win.
“For the first half I think we played very good, but when the opponent tried to attack we did not know what to do, but we tried to defend, said China coach Fu Bo.
“But after our player got the red card we did not give up, but we struggled and it stretched our defence.
“Although the scoreline is the same for the two matches, it is totally different. In today’s match we lost our goalkeeper and after he was sent-off it put a lot of strain on the defence.”