Late blow puts China on ropes

Russia 2018 dream in jeopardy after last-gasp Syrian equalizer

KUALA LUMPUR - Ahmad Al Salih's late strike dealt a body blow to China's faltering quest to reach a second World Cup on Tuesday and Qatar kept its slim hopes alive with a 3-2 upset of South Korea.

China was within reach of only its second win in Group A of Asian qualifying when Al Salih curled home an injury-time freekick to earn Syria a 2-2 draw.