Japan, who began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Thailand, sprung into action as early as the fourth minute with Kosei Ogura sending his effort from distance over the bar.

Syria keeper Maksim Sarraf had to be on his toes two minutes later, cutting off a Niko Takahashi cross meant for Yutaka Michiwaki.

A stroke of sheer brilliance was needed to catch the Japanese defence off guard and Syria pulled it off with precision in the 10th minute after Mahmoud Al Omar threaded a well-timed through ball for Mohammad Al Mustafa, who slipped the ball past the onrushing Japanese keeper Rui Araki.

A stung Japan pressed high with Rion Ichihara mis-timing his headed attempt off Niko Takahashi’s free-kick in the 16th minute before the East Asians restored parity eight minutes later.

Yuto Ozeki pounced on the loose ball following Katsuma Fuse’s cross with the Kawasaki Frontale midfielder slotting into the bottom right corner past a rooted Sarraf.

Syria, however, regained the lead in the 33rd minute and in spectacular fashion at that. 

Aland Abdi’s ferocious free-kick rocked the crossbar with the ball rebounding kindly for Ahmad Soufi, who unleashed a stunning effort that hit the left post before settling in the net. 

Japan asserted more pressure in the second half and came close to equalising in the 61st minute with Kazunari Kita angling his headed attempt off a corner right into the gloves of Sarraf.

Abdi had a chance to extend Syria’s lead in the 68th minute from a set-piece situation but the Roda JC midfielder struck the wall with his free-kick while at the other end,  Sarraf denied Soma Kanda from close range five minutes later.

Japan upped the ante and were rewarded with the equaliser in the 85th minute after Syria failed to deal with a cross from Hisatsugu Ishii, leaving Rento Takaoka to strike the ball into the back of the net from inside a packed six-yard-box.

Japan will face Korea Republic on Thursday while Syria will meet Thailand.