With Syria securing at least second place in Group D with a third win of the campaign, second-placed China can move five points clear of Vietnam with just two games remaining with a win against Lebanon on Sunday.

Firas Al Khatib tested Vietnam goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong after 10 minutes as Syria made a bright start, before Jihad Al Hussain combined well with Abdulfatah Al Agha and Abdulrazak Al Housain shot just wide midway through the first half.

Tan Truong denied Al Khatib midway through the first half before Vietnam's first real chance arrived as Phan Thanh Hung blazed over the crossbar soon after.

Syria continued to press and again went close 14 minutes before the break as Al Hussain tried his luck from the edge of the area.

Al Khatib's shot was saved by Tan Truong just after the restart before Vietnam were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark as striker Le Cong Vinh received his second yellow card.

But despite their numerical disadvantage Vietnam nearly opened the scoring with 16 minutes remaining as second-half substitute Nguyen Vu Phong was left unmarked with the goal at his mercy but blazed over from six yards.

After netting a stoppage-time winner on Saturday as Syria beat Vietnam 1-0 in Ho Chi Minh City, Raja Rafe almost snatched the three points again but was denied by Tan Truong three minutes into added time.