MELAKA, Malaysia, June 14 - China's flickering hope to reach the 2018 World Cup was dimmed after they conceded a last minute goal and tied Syria 2-2 in Asian qualifiers here on Tuesday.

Mahmoud Almawas converted a penalty to break the deadlock in the 12th minute, only to see Gao Lin equalize in a very similar way in the 68th minute.

Wu Xi's volley in the 75th minute put China in front, but it was too early for the Chinese side to celebrate as Ahmad Al Saleh's freekick made them crestfallen.

"It was a very disappointing result for us, we deserved three points," said China's coach Marcello Lippi.

"Our performance in the first half was not that good, but we did a very good job in the second half and turned the game around.

"Unfortunately, the referee changed the game. I don't understand why he made that call. It was a fatal decision for us." The Italian said with a upset body language.

With only five points in their previous seven games, China needed a win badly to kept their hope alive to reach the 2018 World Cup. Syria, three points ahead of China, wanted to cut their deficit to Uzbekistan who lost to South Korea one day earlier.

Syria showed their intent early in the match. In the 11th minute, Fahad Youssef was touched down by keeper Zeng Cheng inside China's box and the referee awarded Syria a penalty.

Mahmoud Almawas sent the ball to the left bottom corner but the goal was cancelled by the referee, who believe Almawas' teammates moved before the whistle.

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