Singapore, September 9

War-torn neighbours Syria and Iraq continued their unbeaten starts to the Asian World Cup qualifying competition on Tuesday as crowd trouble reared its ugly head in Malaysia, forcing the abandonment of the match with Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia were leading 2-1 in the Group A Asian qualifier at Shah Alam Stadium in Selangor when play was stopped in the 87th minute after fans launched flares and fireworks onto the pitch. Players from both teams left the field and did not return.

The match was later abandoned with the outcome to be decided by the sport’s world governing body FIFA.

In Phnom Penh, Syriamade it three wins from three matches with a 6-0 thrashing of Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium. Syria’s 21-year-old striker Omar Khrbin scored twice, while Mahmoud Al Mawas, Sanharib Malki, Omar Midani and Osama Omari also got on the scoresheet. The victory consolidated Syria’s position at the top of the Group E standings with nine points.

Iraq surrendered a 2-0 lead, conceding two late goals to draw 2-2 with Thailand in Bangkok, but also remain unbeaten. Iraq’s American-born winger Justin Meram opened the scoring in the 34th minute. Then Iraq’s captain, Younis Mahmoud, doubled the lead in the second half with his 55th international goal. But Thailand, who won their first two matches, scored twice in the last 10 minutes through Theerathon Bunmathan and Mongkol Tossakrai, to remain at the top of Group F.

Asia’s heavyweight teams all won easily. Australia’s stand-in captain Tim Cahill scored two late goals to seal a 3-0 win against Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The Socceroos maintained their perfect start  to remain at the top of the Group B with their third win in as many matches.

Japan showed no mercy against Afghanistan, smashing in six unanswered goals in their Group E fixture in Tehran. Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki scored twice each as four-time Asian champions picked up their second successive win after being held to a goalless home draw by Singapore in June.

Iran beat India 3-0 in Bangalore while South Korea defeated Lebanon by the same score in Beirut. Jordan scored twice in each half in a 4-0 win over Bangladesh in Dhaka to remain undefeated in Group B, with Abdallah Deeb scoring a brace, including a penalty. Kuwait defeated Laos 2-0 in Vientiane to preserve their 100 per cent record, while 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar continued the strong showing by Gulf teams, holding on for a 3-2 victory over previously unbeaten Hong Kong.

Qatar almost threw it away after leading 3-0 with three minutes of normal time left but head the Group C standings with nine points from three matches, followed by China and Hong Kong, both on seven. China got their campaign back on track with a 3-0 win over the Maldives, with the help of two goals from striker Yu Dabao.

Vietnam registered a 2-1 victory over Taiwan, with Tran Phi Son scoring the winner in stoppage time on his debut. The tiny Pacific nation of Guam held Oman to a goalless draw, rekindling their fairytale start to the qualifying competition.