Race down to the wire as Kuwait defeat Syria

Having twice been pegged back by the determined visitors, Kuwait took a lead they would never relinquish when defender Anas Al Khoja put through his own net just before the hour mark.

Ajab then made sure of the points when he completed his treble shortly afterwards although they were made to sweat for the final 18 minutes when keeper Nawaf Al Khaldi was sent off for a foul on substitute Sanharib Malki.

The result still leaves Kuwait bottom of Group Five but they now trail leaders Iran by just two points with all to play for over the remaining two games.

The hosts made an ideal start, taking the lead with just 75 seconds gone when Ajab headed Ali Maqseed's cross from the right past keeper Mosab Balhous.

It did not take long for Syria to hit back, however, as Firas Al Khatib found the top corner with a free-kick to level the scores after nine minutes.

Kuwait regained the lead on 20 minutes when Mohammad Jarragh received the ball on the left flank before delivering a teasing centre that Ajab duly nodded home.

But Syria refused to lie down and equalised for a second time in first-half stoppage time through Al Khatib as the striker found space on the left side of the Kuwaiti box before hitting a powerful, left-foot strike into the far corner.

The visitors started the second half brightly and had a chance to go in front four minutes into the second period when Raja Rafe found Jehad Al Hussien on the edge of the area but his shot flew over the bar.

Kuwait then went ahead for a third time in the 58th minute in somewhat fortuitous fashion as substitute Walied Ali forged his way down the left flank before his subsequent cross was put into his own net by Syria defender Al Khoja.

Four minutes later, Kuwait sealed the points. Maqseed's well-struck free-kick came back off the bar but Ajab was on hand to follow up as the 24-year-old produced a spectacular bicycle kick from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Syria then wasted a golden opportunity to pull a goal back after 66 minutes when Al Khatib played in Malki but the substitute fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

Disaster then struck for Kuwait six minutes later when goalkeeper Al Khaldi was sent off after a foul on Malki but Syria could not take advantage of their numerical superiority.

Al Khatib went close with a free-kick and Al Hussien saw an effort turned behind by substitute goalkeeper Ahmed Al Fadhli with nine minutes remaining.