DOHA: Omar Khribin smashed a sensational late equaliser with a powerful strike from outside the box to earn Syria a dramatic 1-1 draw against hosts Qatar at Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday.

The draw leaves Qatar's Arab Cup hopes hanging by a thread. With just one point from two matches, they must now beat Tunisia by a big margin in their final group game on Sunday and hope the other result go their way. Palestine and Syria, both leading Group A with four points, face off in a simultaneous match.

After an opening defeat to Palestine, Qatar sought goals relentlessly and substitute Ahmed Alaaeldin finally handed them the lead in the 77th minute, sending the passionate home crowd into ecstasy. But Khribin crushed their joy in the 90th minute with a stunning, unstoppable strike from outside the box, securing a point for Syria.

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui made several changes to the starting line-up, and the Asian champions would have emerged victorious had they converted the chances they created.

The home side dominated the match, particularly in attack. They came out firing, immediately pushing Syria back in search of an early breakthrough. Mohammed Waad tried a long-range effort but sent it over the bar, while goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham - starting in place of Mahmoud Abunada - displayed sharp reflexes to cut out a dangerous Syrian counter and block a threatening cross.

Qatar's early pressure nearly paid off in the 10th minute when Mohammed Al Mannai found himself unmarked at the first corner, only to steer Akram Afif's delivery wide. Moments later, Homam Al Amin drove into the box but dragged his angled strike past the far post. Syria responded with a chance of their own when Abdullah Alshami failed to connect with a set-piece delivery, capping a frantic first 15 minutes filled with opportunities at both ends.

Qatar continued pressing, and Jassim Gaber registered the first shot on target, though his effort from outside the box was easily held by Syrian goalkeeper Elias Hadaya.

Syria grew into the half, with Khribin emerging as a constant threat. His first attempt was deflected wide, and in the 22nd minute he came close again, lifting the ball over the advancing Barsham, only for Waad to race back and brilliantly divert the ball off the line.

Qatar hit back immediately on the counter. Edmilson Junior, starting after coming off the bench against Palestine, led the break before Tarek Salman smashed a shot into the side netting. Homam remained heavily involved, first sending a header over the bar and then striking the left post after a superb through-ball from Afif. The Qatar captain continued to influence play, again finding Homam whose difficult volley flew over around the half-hour mark. Qatar kept up the pressure, with Abdulaziz Hatem lifting an effort over the bar from another Afif assist, as a pulsating first half ended goalless.

The second half resumed in similar fashion. Early on, Edmilson's shot was blocked by Hadaya, and Afif's brilliant spell from the edge of the box went just wide. Qatar came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Afif set up Hatem, whose close-range strike was superbly blocked by defender Ahmad Faqa.

Qatar thought they had got the breakthrough when Homam was brought down by Zakaria Hannan, but VAR intervened and ruled out the penalty just before the hour mark, leaving Lopetegui frustrated. With 20 minutes remaining, he brought on fresh legs in Alaaeldin and Sultan Al Brake for Gaber and Homam.

The breakthrough finally came when Alaaeldin rose highest to head Edmilson's precise cross into the left corner. Syria responded quickly, with substitute Simon Amin's shot deflected by a defender, before Afif, applauded for his inspiring display, was replaced by Lucas Mendes.

However, Khribin struck again with a sensational curling effort from outside the box into the top-right corner, restoring parity for Syria. The striker had also scored a stunning free-kick winner against Tunisia in the previous match. Qatar pressed relentlessly in the closing minutes, but Hadaya produced a spectacular save to tip Al Mannai's ferocious effort over the bar, ensuring the points were shared in a pulsating encounter.

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