Both sides needed to win to be guaranteed of a place in the last eight and in light of what was at stake it was an unsurprisingly nervy match with the two teams keen to not make costly mistakes in defence.

However, Saudi Arabia scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute through Yasir Al Fahmi to ensure they join China in progressing to the last eight.

Though chances were rare throughout the encounter, the game got off to lively start as Syria keeper Ibrahim Almeh was tested inside the first minute when Saudi Arabia were awarded a free kick on the right side of the area and Ibrahim Alibrahim curled an effort into the hands of the shot-stopper.

Syria’s Ahmad Al Kador had appeals for a penalty turned down soon after when the forward tumbled inside the area following a challenge by a Saudi defender before Nasouh Nkd Hle’s powerful downward header was stopped on the line by Abdullah Al Sdairy.

From then on, however, chances were at a premium and the only effort for the next 30 minutes was when Almeh had to be at his best to palm over a rasping long-range drive from Yahya Dagriri.

There was nothing Almeh could do to stop Saudi Arabia taking the lead five minutes before the break, however, when Dagriri broke towards the byline before cutting the ball back for Al Fahmi, who stabbed home from six yards.

Saudi Arabia pressed for a second goal after the break and Dagriri had a good chance just after the hour when he raced onto a through ball before breaking into the area but hit his shot into the side-netting.

They had a glorious chance to score a decisive second in the 77th minute when Dagriri was brought down inside the area and the referee immediately pointed the spot. Alibrahim stepped up and hit a powerful effort towards the top right of the goal but keeper Almeh guessed the correct way and superbly pushed the ball behind for a corner.

Despite that setback Syria were causing little trouble to the Saudi defence with a tame long-range effort by Khaled Jnid the only response they could offer before the final whistle.