Turkmenistan clinch last Asian Cup final place

Turkmenistan clinched the last qualifying place available for the 2004 Asian Cup finals with a 1-1 draw against Syria.

Turkmenistan ensured their place among the 16 finalists in China as Group G runners-up behind the United Arab Emirates, who booked their ticket with a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka earlier in the week.

Syria had taken the lead after 10 minutes when Anas Sari finished off a good move but Turkmenistan were back level six minutes later with a great individual effort by striker Didarklych Urazov.

Despite intense Syria pressure in the visitors' half, the hosts were unable to wrest back the advantage although substitute Jihad Husseins powerful header was only kept out by a deft save from Turkmenistan keeper Yevgeny Naboychenko.

Turkmenistan join hosts China and holders Japan who were already guaranteed places while Uzbekistan, Thailand, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Jordan, Iran, Oman, South Korea, Iraq, Bahrain and UAE have also made it through qualifying.